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Drive vs ride
Drive is controlling a vehicle like a car or truck; ride is sitting on a bike, horse, or motorcycle, or traveling as a passenger.
Quick rule
A steering wheel in front of you? Drive. On top of a bike, motorcycle, or horse, or a passenger? Ride.
To control a vehicle such as a car, truck, or bus. Also to take someone somewhere in your car.
To sit on and control a bike, motorcycle, or horse. Also to travel as a passenger in a bus, train, or car.
Why it trips people up
Drive and ride both move you, but they differ in who is in control. With drive, you steer a car, truck, or bus. With ride, you sit on a bike, horse, or motorcycle, or you travel as a passenger.
How each one works
Drive
Controlling a vehicle
My dad drives a big truck for a living.
Going somewhere in your own car
She drives to work every morning.
Taking someone in your car
I'll drive you to the airport on Sunday.
Ride
Controlling a bike
He rides his bike to school.
Traveling as a passenger
We rode the bus downtown.
Controlling a motorcycle
Can you ride a motorcycle?
What comes next
drive plus car, truck, or bus
She drives a red pickup.
drive to plus place
He drove to Dallas in six hours.
ride plus bike, horse, or motorcycle
My uncle rides a motorcycle on weekends.
ride in plus car, as a passenger
We rode in the back of the truck.
Set phrases
Drive
- drive someone crazy
- to annoy someone very much
- driver's license
- a card that says you may drive
Ride
- go for a ride
- to travel for fun, on a bike, horse, or in a car
- hitch a ride
- to get a free ride from someone passing by
Almost the same
He drove the bus.
He was the driver.
He rode the bus.
He was a passenger.
I drove to the lake with my friends.
You had the wheel.
I rode to the lake with my friends.
You were a passenger, or on a bike.
In a conversation
- A:
How did you get here?
- B:
I drove. Why?
- A:
My bike has a flat tire. Can I get a ride home later?
- B:
Sure. Do you usually ride your bike to work?
- A:
Yes, I ride every day. It's faster than driving in traffic.
- B:
That's true. Let's leave at six.
Common mistakes
Wrong: He drives a bike to school.
Right: He rides a bike to school.
You sit on a bike instead of steering it with a wheel, so use ride.
Wrong: My brother rides trucks for a living.
Right: My brother drives trucks for a living.
The person at the wheel of a truck drives it.
Memory trick
Ask: is there a steering wheel in front of you? Drive. Are you on top of it, or just being carried? Ride.
It depends
- A ride
- A ride is also a lift or a trip: a car ride. You ask for one with Can I get a ride?, and you do not drive.
- Drive a person
- Drive with a person means to take them in your car: I'll drive you home. You are at the wheel and they are the passenger.
FAQ
Do you drive or ride a motorcycle?
You ride a motorcycle, because you sit on top of it. Drive is for vehicles with a steering wheel.
Can you say drive a bike?
No. You sit on a bike instead of steering it with a wheel, so the verb is ride a bike.
What is the difference between a ride and a drive?
A ride is a trip as a passenger or on a bike. A drive is a trip you make at the wheel.