What are the definitions of “drive back”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Repulse, force back.
The police DROVE the crowd BACK to give the rescue workers more space.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “drive back”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb drive back is to force someone or something to move back or away from a particular area. This can be used to describe pushing back a crowd, repelling an attack, or forcing someone to retreat.
What are the different verb forms of “drive back”?
| Root Verb | drive back |
| Third Person Singular Present | drives back |
| Present Participle | driving back |
| Simple Past | drove back |
| Past Participle | driven back |
Example
The soldiers drove back the enemy forces.
Example
The wind drives back the leaves in the fall.
Example
The team is driving back their opponents on the field.
Example
The police drove back the protesters during the demonstration.
Example
The enemy was driven back by the defending army.
What kind of phrasal verb is “drive back”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“drive back” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The strong wind drove the waves back.
Example
The security guards drove back the fans trying to get closer to the stage.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“drive back” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The strong wind drove the waves back.
Example
The security guards drove back the fans trying to get closer to the stage.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “drive back”?
Good things to know
Does “drive back” have an informal or formal tone?
Drive back is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as news reports or academic writing.
