a drive

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablecomputing

   A device or area in a computer where data and files are stored, often named by a letter such as C.

   Grammar: Countable and usually used with a letter or type: the C drive, a hard drive.

   Patterns

   • a drive on a computer
   • save something to a drive
   • the C drive

   Save the document to a drive so you don't lose it.

   The photos are on an external drive in my desk drawer.

   My C drive is almost full, so I need to delete some old files.

2. 2nouncountable

   A strong natural need or urge that makes someone act in a particular way.

   Grammar: Often followed by 'to do something' or 'for something': a drive to succeed.

   Patterns

   • a drive to do something
   • a drive for something

   She has a real drive to help young people learn.

   His drive for success made him work late every night.

   Curiosity is a powerful drive in young children.

3. 3nouncountable

   An organized effort by a group to achieve a goal, such as collecting money or goods.

   Grammar: Common in phrases like 'a fund-raising drive' or 'a food drive'; often followed by 'for' or 'to do something'.

   Patterns

   • a drive for something
   • a drive to do something
   • a fund-raising drive

   The school held a food drive before the winter holidays.

   They started a drive to plant more trees in the city.

   The charity's fund-raising drive raised over ten thousand dollars.

4. 4nouncountable

   A trip in a car or other vehicle, or the road or area used for driving.

   Grammar: Usually singular after 'a': go for a drive; also 'a two-hour drive'.

   Patterns

   • go for a drive
   • a long drive
   • a drive to somewhere

   We went for a drive along the coast on Sunday.

   It's a two-hour drive from here to the airport.

   The drive up the mountain was beautiful but slow.

Word forms

Common combinations

hard drive

He replaced the hard drive because it was making strange noises.

external drive

I keep a backup on an external drive.

go for a drive

Let's go for a drive this afternoon.

fund-raising drive

The library's fund-raising drive paid for new computers.

drive to succeed

Her drive to succeed impressed everyone on the team.

Synonyms and how they differ

disk

A more technical word for a storage device; 'drive' often refers to the whole unit, while 'disk' can mean the part inside it.

motivation

Better for the inner reason someone acts; 'drive' suggests a stronger, more energetic force.

campaign

Used for organized public efforts; 'drive' is common for collecting money or goods, while 'campaign' often suggests politics or advertising.

Word family

driver noun

A person who drives a vehicle, or a piece of software that controls a device.

driving adjective

Describing a strong force or motivation, as in 'a driving ambition'.

Commonly confused: a drive or disc?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “a drive”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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