drive a car

Meaning

This expression means to operate and control a motor vehicle. It is used when talking about transportation, getting to work, or obtaining a driver's license. It is a neutral, everyday phrase used in both casual and formal contexts.

Examples

• She is taking lessons to learn how to drive a car.

  She is taking lessons to learn how to drive a car.

• I prefer to drive a car rather than take the crowded subway.

  I prefer to drive a car rather than take the crowded subway.

• My brother let me drive a car for the first time yesterday.

  My brother let me drive a car for the first time yesterday.

• It is illegal to drive a car without a valid license.

  It is illegal to drive a car without a valid license.

• He has to drive a car for two hours to get to his office.

  He has to drive a car for two hours to get to his office.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am riding a car to work today.

  ✓ I am driving a car to work today.

  We use 'ride' for bicycles, horses, or when you are a passenger. When you are the one operating the automobile, you must use 'drive'.

• ✗ She drives very well a car.

  ✓ She drives a car very well.

  In English, the direct object ('a car') should come immediately after the verb ('drives'), before any adverbs or descriptions.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you want to ___, you must pass a road test first.

  💡 Operate a motor vehicle.

  Show answer

  drive a car

• My father taught me how to ___ when I turned sixteen.

  💡 Control an automobile.

  Show answer

  drive a car