drove
B1Neutral, though the noun sense is more formal/literary.
Definition
Meaning
A simple past tense form of the verb 'drive,' meaning to operate or control the movement of a vehicle or to force to move in a particular direction.
A large group of animals, especially cattle or sheep, moving or being driven together; a crowd of people moving in one direction. Also, a stonemason's chisel used for grooving stone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it's purely a past tense form, not used for continuous or perfective past meaning ('had driven'). The noun 'drove' (group of animals) is related to the verb's sense of 'driving' them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant grammatical differences. The noun form is equally rare in both. The past participle 'driven' is universal.
Connotations
The noun can have a slightly archaic or rural feel in both varieties.
Frequency
The past tense form is extremely frequent in both. The noun is low-frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + drove + [Adverbial of direction/location]Subject + drove + Object (vehicle)Subject + drove + Object (person/animal) + AdverbialVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “drove the point home (made an idea very clear)”
- “drove a hard bargain (negotiated fiercely)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
He drove the new initiative forward despite the challenges.
Academic
The researcher drove the analysis to its logical conclusion.
Everyday
We drove to the coast last weekend.
Technical
The hydraulic system drove the piston downwards.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She drove to Glasgow last Monday.
- The farmer drove the sheep into the pen.
American English
- He drove to Chicago last Monday.
- The rancher drove the cattle across the plain.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- The drove road was an ancient path for moving livestock.
American English
- The drove road was a historic trail for moving livestock.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I drove my car yesterday.
- My mum drove me to school.
- We drove for hours before we found a hotel.
- He drove a lorry for a living.
- The evidence drove the jury to a quick verdict.
- A drove of tourists descended on the small village.
- His ambition drove him to neglect his personal life.
- The lecturer drove home the importance of ethical methodology.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'rove' (to wander) inside 'drove' – you 'drove' to wander somewhere.
Conceptual Metaphor
MOVEMENT/CHANGE IS TRAVEL (He drove the project to success), CONTROL IS DRIVING (She drove the team hard).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing past tense 'drove' with past participle 'driven' (e.g., 'I have drove' is incorrect).
- The noun 'drove' (стадо) is a 'false friend' for Russian 'дрова' (firewood).
- Remember 'drove' is for past simple, 'was driving' for past continuous.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'drove' as a past participle (e.g., 'I have drove' instead of 'I have driven').
- Using 'drove' for present tense (e.g., 'I drove to work every day' instead of 'I drive...').
- Spelling confusion: 'drowe' or 'drived'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'drove' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Primarily, yes. It is the simple past tense of 'drive'. However, it can also be a noun meaning a large group of animals being moved together.
'Drove' is the simple past tense (e.g., I drove home). 'Driven' is the past participle, used with auxiliary verbs like 'have' or 'had' (e.g., I have driven home).
No. The present tense is 'drive' or 'drives'. Using 'drove' for present action is a common error.
Not commonly. It is considered somewhat archaic or specialised, mostly found in historical, literary, or rural contexts.