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Prepositions before nouns

Of drive or to drive?

To drive is a common infinitive verb form. Of drive is rare and usually appears only after another noun, such as the sound of drive mechanisms.

Quick answer

Which form is natural?

To drive is standard when drive is a verb: I want to drive. Of drive is not a usual combination with the noun drive unless another noun comes before it, such as the concept of drive or the power of drive in psychology.

She learned to drive at eighteen.
He needs to drive to the airport.
Researchers discussed the psychology of drive and motivation.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
to drive + vehicle/place

Using the verb drive

Use to drive as an infinitive after verbs such as learn, want, or need.

I am planning to drive across the country.
She hopes to drive professionally one day.
2
drive to + place

Showing destination

Use drive to with a destination.

We will drive to the coast tomorrow.
They decided to drive to the conference.
3
noun + of drive

Using drive as an abstract noun

Of drive may appear after another noun in formal or technical language.

The study examined the role of drive in achievement.
Engineers measured the efficiency of drive systems.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
of drive
the efficiency of drive systems
formal or technical noun phrase; not a general alternative to to drive
to drive
She wants to drive.
standard infinitive verb form
drive to
They drive to work daily.
verb plus destination
drive for
He drives for a delivery company.
shows employer, team, or purpose

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of drive instead of the infinitive

English uses to before the verb drive.

✕ I learned of drive last year. ✓ I learned to drive last year.

Confusing noun and verb structures

Drive as a noun needs a clear noun phrase around it.

✕ They discussed of drive. ✓ They discussed drive and motivation.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. She hopes ___ drive in the rally.
2. We will drive ___ the mountains tomorrow.
3. The report examined the role ___ drive in learning.

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Frequently asked questions

Is of drive common English?

No. It appears mainly in formal or technical noun phrases.

Why is to drive more common?

Because it is the normal infinitive form of the verb drive.

Can drive be a noun?

Yes. It can mean motivation, a road, or a mechanical system depending on context.

of, about, against, to or for racism? of, about, for, in or on friendship? of, about, for, on or to thing? of, about, for, to or with sex? of, about, on, to or for moon? "of access" or "with access"? "of accommodation" or "for accommodation"? "of accuracy" or "for accuracy"? "of action" or "in action"? "of actor", "with actor" or "by actor"? "of address" or "to address"? "of administration" or "in administration"?

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