What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drive
Example
I learned how to drive a car when I was 16. [drive: verb]
Example
She has a strong drive to succeed in her career. [drive: noun]
Example
He drove his point home during the meeting. [drove: past tense]
push
Example
I had to push the heavy box across the room. [push: verb]
Example
My boss is always pushing me to work harder. [pushing: present participle]
Example
We need to push ourselves to finish this project on time. [push: reflexive verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Drive is more commonly used than push in everyday language, especially in the context of driving a vehicle. However, push is still a common word and can be used in a variety of situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drive and push?
Both drive and push can be used in formal and informal contexts, but drive may be slightly more formal due to its association with professional settings such as driving a car or business goals.