What are the definitions of “drive by”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Do something out of a car.
He was killed in a DRIVE - BY shooting.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “drive by”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb drive by is to do something while passing a location in a car. For example, it can refer to a crime committed from a moving vehicle, such as a drive-by shooting.
What are the different verb forms of “drive by”?
| Root Verb | drive by |
| Third Person Singular Present | drives by |
| Present Participle | driving by |
| Simple Past | drove by |
| Past Participle | driven by |
Example
We often drive by the park on our way home.
Example
She drives by the old house every day to check on it.
Example
He is driving by the store to pick up some groceries.
Example
Yesterday, they drove by the school to see the new building.
Example
The car had driven by the scene of the accident before the police arrived.
What kind of phrasal verb is “drive by”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Intransitive verb
“drive by” is an intransitive phrasal verb because it doesn't require an object to complete its meaning. It forms a complete sentence without an object.
Example
We drove by the park on our way home.
Example
She drives by the old house every day to check on it.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“drive by” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
We drove by the park on our way home.
Example
She drives by the old house every day to check on it.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “drive by”?
Drive-by shooting
A crime in which someone shoots a firearm from a moving vehicle, usually targeting people or property.
Example
The police are investigating a drive-by shooting that occurred last night.
Drive-by download
The unintentional download of malicious software onto a computer or device, often without the user's knowledge.
Example
His computer was infected with a virus from a drive-by download on a suspicious website.
Drive-by inspection
A quick visual inspection of a property or location from a moving vehicle.
Example
The real estate agent did a drive-by inspection of the neighborhood before showing the house to potential buyers.
Good things to know
Does “drive by” have an informal or formal tone?
Drive by is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, news reports, and legal documents, depending on the specific context.
What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “drive by”?
Synonyms
- pass by
- go past
- cruise by
- ride by
Antonyms
- stop
- park
- stay
- remain
- wait
