What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
drove
Example
The cowboys drove the cattle across the plains. [drove: verb]
Example
A drove of cars made their way down the highway during rush hour. [drove: noun]
Example
The politician's speech drove the crowd to action. [drove: verb]
herd
Example
The shepherd led his herd of sheep to the pasture. [herd: noun]
Example
The tourists formed a herd as they followed the guide through the museum. [herd: noun]
Example
The cult leader had a herd of devoted followers who would do anything he said. [herd: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Herd is more commonly used than drove in everyday language, especially when referring to groups of animals. However, drove is still used in certain contexts, such as describing a group of people or vehicles moving together.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between drove and herd?
Both drove and herd are relatively informal words, but drove may be slightly more formal due to its association with cowboy culture and historical usage in literature.
