took a drive

USAGE SUMMARY

"took a drive" is perfectly correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone taking a drive in a car, a boat, an airplane, etc. For example, "The students took a drive to the beach to enjoy a picnic lunch."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

On a whim they took a drive to look at houses.

The New York Times

The day after the parade, Simon took a drive around New Orleans.

The New Yorker

A few years ago, he took a drive past his old house in Surrey.

The Guardian - Music

That's when they took a drive to a farm and picked out Penny.

The New York Times

Writer took a drive with some British policemen along the Chinese border, where all seemed quite peaceful.

The New Yorker

Before sundown, we took a drive with the trailer, trying to find a safe place to launch the boat.

The New Yorker

The next day I took a drive down Meadow Lane, one of the most coveted streets in Southampton.

The New York Times

In the fall of 1999, just before O'Malley took office, Maple and O'Malley took a drive around East Baltimore.

The New York Times

Our only foray off road came when we took a drive onto Cape Kiwanda Beach near here.

The New York Times

Writer took a drive out of the city to Mayaro Bay on the southeast coast - Atlantic Ocean.

The New Yorker

We were curious and, well, out of gambling money, so we got in the car and took a drive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "took a drive" to describe a casual journey by car, often without a specific destination in mind. For example, "We were bored, so we took a drive through the countryside."

Common error

Avoid using "took a drive" when you mean to say someone "drove" to a specific place for a specific purpose. Instead of "He took a drive to the store", say "He drove to the store".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took a drive" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of going for a ride in a vehicle, typically a car. This is supported by Ludwig AI and numerous examples demonstrating its use in describing recreational or exploratory journeys.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "took a drive" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe going for a ride, typically in a car, for leisure or exploration. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best suited for informal or neutral settings. Alternatives such as "went for a ride" or "drove around" can be used for similar meanings, while "embarked on a road trip" suggests a longer, more planned journey. Avoid using "took a drive" when you mean to say someone "drove" to a specific destination with a specific purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went for a ride

Replaces "drive" with "ride", implying a more casual or recreational trip.

went for a spin

Similar to "went for a ride", but suggests a shorter and perhaps more spirited journey.

drove around

Focuses on the action of driving without specifying a particular destination or purpose.

embarked on a road trip

Implies a longer and more planned journey than a simple drive.

went on an excursion

Suggests a journey for pleasure or exploration, often to a specific place.

motored along

Uses a slightly more old-fashioned term for driving, adding a touch of vintage feel.

hit the road

An idiomatic way of saying someone started a journey by car.

took to the open road

Evokes a sense of freedom and adventure associated with driving.

journeyed by car

A more formal way to describe traveling by car.

set off driving

Focuses on the commencement of the driving activity.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "took a drive"?

You can use alternatives like "went for a ride", "drove around", or "embarked on a road trip" depending on the context.

Is "took a drive" formal or informal?

"Took a drive" is generally considered informal and is suitable for everyday conversation and writing. For a more formal setting, consider using "journeyed by car" or similar phrases.

How can I use "took a drive" in a sentence?

You can use "took a drive" to describe a leisurely trip in a car. For example, "They took a drive along the coast to enjoy the scenery" or "We took a drive to clear our heads after a long day".

What is the difference between "took a drive" and "went for a drive"?

Both phrases are very similar and often interchangeable. However, "went for a drive" might imply a slightly more intentional or planned activity, while "took a drive" can be more spontaneous.