Cause vs. Drive — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Difference Between Cause and Drive
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Cause is fundamentally about identifying the reason something happens or the factor that brings about an effect. Whereas, drive is more about the internal or external forces that compel an individual to act or strive towards a goal.
Cause often involves a static relationship, where one event leads to the effect of another, showing a direct or indirect link. On the other hand, drive implies a dynamic process, emphasizing ongoing efforts and motivations that fuel actions or changes.
Cause is used extensively in scientific and philosophical contexts to explain phenomena through causality. While drive is frequently employed in psychological and sociological contexts, focusing on desires, ambitions, or needs that propel individuals or groups.
Cause can be seen in legal and investigative scenarios, where determining the cause is crucial to understanding and adjudicating issues. Whereas, drive is key in personal development and management fields, where understanding what motivates people is essential for fostering effective behaviors and achieving goals.
Cause typically does not imply intention; it simply denotes a preceding event leading to a consequence. While drive inherently includes an element of intentionality or purpose, reflecting the motivation behind actions rather than merely the actions themselves.
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Cause is often external, not requiring active involvement from the affected parties. Drive, however, is usually internal, closely linked to personal or collective aspirations and psychological states.
Comparison Chart
Definition
The reason something happens.
An internal or external force that motivates action.
Contexts
Scientific, philosophical, legal.
Psychological, sociological, personal development.
Relationship
Often static, linking events causally.
Dynamic, emphasizing continuous motivation.
Intentionality
Does not imply intention.
Involves purpose and intentionality.
Origin
Usually external.
Primarily internal or influenced by personal aspirations.
Compare with Definitions
Cause
The reason or origin of an event.
The heavy rainfall was the cause of the flood.
Drive
A trip or journey in a vehicle.
They went for a long drive along the coast.
Cause
A principle or aim pursued by a group or individual.
They fought for the cause of freedom.
Drive
To operate and control a vehicle.
He drives to work every day.
Cause
A legal matter or litigation.
The lawyer took on the cause of the disadvantaged client.
Drive
An organized effort or campaign towards a goal.
The charity drive raised a lot of money.
Cause
To make something happen.
Smoking can cause lung cancer.
Drive
To push or propel with force.
His ambition drives him to succeed.
Cause
A justification for an action.
There was just cause for their complaint.
Drive
A strong motivation to achieve something.
Her drive to improve her skills is impressive.
Cause
Because.
Drive
Operate and control the direction and speed of a motor vehicle
They drove back into town
He got into his car and drove off
Cause
The producer of an effect, result, or consequence.
Drive
Propel or carry along by force in a specified direction
The wind will drive you onshore
Cause
The one, such as a person, event, or condition, that is responsible for an action or result.
Drive
Urge or force (animals or people) to move in a specified direction
The French infantry were driven back
They drove a flock of sheep through the centre of the city
Cause
A basis for an action or response; a reason
The doctor's report gave no cause for alarm.
Drive
(of a fact or feeling) compel (someone) to act in a particular way, especially one that is considered undesirable or inappropriate
He was driven by ambition
Some people are driven to murder their tormentors
Cause
A goal or principle served with dedication and zeal
“the cause of freedom versus tyranny” (Hannah Arendt).
Drive
A trip or journey in a car
They went for a drive in the country
Cause
The interests of a person or group engaged in a struggle
“The cause of America is in great measure the cause of all mankind” (Thomas Paine).
Drive
An organized effort by a number of people to achieve a purpose
A recruitment drive by the police
Cause
A lawsuit or criminal prosecution.
Drive
The transmission of power to machinery or to the wheels of a motor vehicle
He experimented with chain drive to run the propeller
Cause
The ground or basis for a lawsuit.
Drive
(in ball games) a forceful stroke made with a free swing of the bat, racket, or foot against the ball
A hard drive to left field
Cause
A subject under debate or discussion.
Drive
An act of driving a group of animals to a particular destination
Cattle were no longer taken on long drives, but were delivered by rail
Cause
To be the cause of or reason for; result in.
Drive
To push, propel, or press onward forcibly; urge forward
Drove the horses into the corral.
Cause
To bring about or compel by authority or force
The moderator invoked a rule causing the debate to be ended.
Drive
To repulse or put to flight by force or influence
Drove the attackers away.
Drove out any thought of failure.
Cause
The source of, or reason for, an event or action; that which produces or effects a result.
They identified a burst pipe as the cause of the flooding.
Drive
To guide, control, or direct (a vehicle).
Cause
Sufficient reason for a state, as of emotion.
There is no cause for alarm.
The end of the war was a cause for celebration.
Drive
To convey or transport in a vehicle
Drove the children to school.
Cause
(countable) A goal, aim or principle, especially one which transcends purely selfish ends.
Drive
To traverse in a vehicle
Drive the freeways to work.
Cause
(obsolete) Sake; interest; advantage.
Drive
To supply the motive force or power to and cause to function
Steam drives the engine.
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; a matter; an affair.
Drive
To cause or sustain, as if by supplying force or power
"The current merger mania is apparently driven by an urge ... to reduce risk or to exploit opportunities in a very rapidly changing business environment" (Peter Passell).
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Drive
To compel or force to work, often excessively
"Every serious dancer is driven by notions of perfection—perfect expressiveness, perfect technique" (Susan Sontag).
Cause
(transitive) To set off an event or action.
The lightning caused thunder.
Drive
To force into or from a particular act or state
Indecision drives me crazy.
Cause
(ditransitive) To actively produce as a result, by means of force or authority.
His dogged determination caused the fundraising to be successful.
Drive
To force to go through or penetrate
Drove the stake into the ground.
Cause
(obsolete) To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Drive
To create or produce by penetrating forcibly
The nail drove a hole in the tire.
Cause
Alternative form of 'cause; because
Drive
To carry through vigorously to a conclusion
Drove home his point.
Drive a hard bargain.
Cause
That which produces or effects a result; that from which anything proceeds, and without which it would not exist.
Cause is substance exerting its power into act, to make one thing begin to be.
Drive
(Sports) To throw, strike, or cast (a ball, for example) hard or rapidly.
Cause
That which is the occasion of an action or state; ground; reason; motive; as, cause for rejoicing.
Drive
(Basketball) To move with the ball directly through
Drove the lane and scored.
Cause
Sake; interest; advantage.
I did it not for his cause.
Drive
(Baseball) To cause (a run or runner) to be scored by batting. Often used with in.
Cause
A suit or action in court; any legal process by which a party endeavors to obtain his claim, or what he regards as his right; case; ground of action.
Drive
(Football) To advance the ball over (certain yardage) in plays from scrimmage.
Cause
Any subject of discussion or debate; matter; question; affair in general.
What counsel give you in this weighty cause!
Drive
To chase (game) into the open or into traps or nets.
Cause
The side of a question, which is espoused, advocated, and upheld by a person or party; a principle which is advocated; that which a person or party seeks to attain.
God befriend us, as our cause is just.
The part they take against me is from zeal to the cause.
Drive
To search (an area) for game in such a manner.
Cause
To effect as an agent; to produce; to be the occasion of; to bring about; to bring into existence; to make; - usually followed by an infinitive, sometimes by that with a finite verb.
I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days.
Cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans.
Drive
To move along or advance quickly
We could hear the trucks driving along the highway.
Cause
To assign or show cause; to give a reason; to make excuse.
Drive
To rush, dash, or advance violently against an obstruction
The wind drove into my face.
Cause
Abbreviation of Because.
Drive
To operate a vehicle, such as a car
How long has he been driving?.
Cause
Events that provide the generative force that is the origin of something;
They are trying to determine the cause of the crash
Drive
To go or be transported in a vehicle
We all got in the car and drove to the supermarket.
Cause
A justification for something existing or happening;
He had no cause to complain
They had good reason to rejoice
Drive
(Sports) To hit, throw, or impel a ball or other missile forcibly.
Cause
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
Drive
(Basketball) To move directly to the basket with the ball.
Cause
Any entity that causes events to happen
Drive
(Football) To advance the ball in plays from scrimmage.
Cause
A comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy;
The family brought suit against the landlord
Drive
To make an effort to reach or achieve an objective; aim.
Cause
Give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;
Cause a commotion
Make a stir
Cause an accident
Drive
The act of driving
Took the car out for a drive after dinner.
Cause
Cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;
The ads induced me to buy a VCR
My children finally got me to buy a computer
My wife made me buy a new sofa
Drive
A trip or journey in a vehicle
It's a long drive to Eau Claire from here.
Drive
Abbr. Dr. A road for automobiles and other vehicles.
Drive
The means or apparatus for transmitting motion or power to a machine or from one machine part to another.
Drive
The position or operating condition of such a mechanism
"He put his car into drive and started home" (Charles Baxter).
Drive
The means by which automotive power is applied to a roadway
Four-wheel drive.
Drive
The means or apparatus for controlling and directing an automobile
Right-hand drive.
Drive
(Computers) A device that reads data from and often writes data onto a storage medium, such as an optical disc or flash memory.
Drive
A strong organized effort to accomplish a purpose
A drive to finish the project before the deadline.
Drive
Energy, push, or aggressiveness
An executive with a lot of drive.
Drive
(Psychology) A strong motivating tendency or instinct related to self-preservation, reproduction, or aggression that prompts activity toward a particular end.
Drive
A massive, sustained military offensive.
Drive
(Sports) The act of hitting, knocking, or thrusting a ball very swiftly.
Drive
(Sports) The stroke or thrust by which a ball is driven
An awkward drive on the first tee that sent the ball into the woods.
Drive
(Sports) The ball or puck as it is propelled
The goalie stopped a hard drive in the opening minute.
Drive
(Basketball) The act of moving with the ball directly to the basket.
Drive
(Football) A series of downs in which the ball is advanced by the offensive team.
Drive
A rounding up and driving of livestock to new pastures or to market.
Drive
A gathering and driving of logs down a river.
Drive
The cattle or logs thus driven.
Drive
Planned, usually long-lasting, effort to achieve something; ability coupled with ambition, determination, and motivation.
Crassus had wealth and wit, but Pompey had drive and Caesar as much again.
Drive
Violent or rapid motion; a rushing onward or away; especially, a forced or hurried dispatch of business.
Drive
An act of driving (prompting) game animals forward, to be captured or hunted.
Drive
An act of driving (prompting) livestock animals forward, to transport a herd.
Drive
(military) A sustained advance in the face of the enemy to take a strategic objective.
Napoleon's drive on Moscow was as determined as it was disastrous.
Drive
A mechanism used to power or give motion to a vehicle or other machine or machine part.
A typical steam drive
A nuclear drive
Chain drive
Front-wheel drive
Some old model trains have clockwork drives.
Drive
A trip made in a vehicle (now generally in a motor vehicle).
It was a long drive.
Drive
A driveway.
The mansion had a long, tree-lined drive.
Drive
A type of public roadway.
Beverly Hills’ most famous street is Rodeo Drive.
Drive
(dated) A place suitable or agreeable for driving; a road prepared for driving.
Drive
(psychology) Desire or interest.
Drive
(computer hardware) An apparatus for reading and writing data to or from a mass storage device such as a disk.
Floppy drive
Drive
(computer hardware) A mass storage device in which the mechanism for reading and writing data is integrated with the mechanism for storing data.
Drive
(golf) A stroke made with a driver.
Drive
A ball struck in a flat trajectory.
Drive
(cricket) A type of shot played by swinging the bat in a vertical arc, through the line of the ball, and hitting it along the ground, normally between cover and midwicket.
Drive
(soccer) A straight level shot or pass.
Drive
(American football) An offensive possession, generally one consisting of several plays and/ or first downs, often leading to a scoring opportunity.
Drive
A charity event such as a fundraiser, bake sale, or toy drive.
A whist drive
A beetle drive
Drive
(retail) A campaign aimed at selling more of a certain product, e.g. by offering a discount.
Vaccination drive
Drive
(typography) An impression or matrix formed by a punch drift.
Drive
A collection of objects that are driven; a mass of logs to be floated down a river.
Drive
(transitive) To provide an impetus for motion or other physical change, to move an object by means of the provision of force thereto.
You drive nails into wood with a hammer.
Drive
(transitive) To provide an impetus for a non-physical change, especially a change in one's state of mind.
My husband's constant harping about the condition of the house threatens to drive me to distraction.
Drive
To displace either physically or non-physically, through the application of force.
Drive
To cause intrinsic motivation through the application or demonstration of force: to impel or urge onward thusly, to compel to move on, to coerce, intimidate or threaten.
Drive
(transitive) (especially of animals) To impel or urge onward by force; to push forward; to compel to move on.
To drive twenty thousand head of cattle from Texas to the Kansas railheads; to drive sheep out of a field
Drive
To direct a vehicle powered by a horse, ox or similar animal.
Drive
(transitive) To cause animals to flee out of.
Drive
(transitive) To move (something) by hitting it with great force.
You drive nails into wood with a hammer.
Drive
(transitive) To cause (a mechanism) to operate.
The pistons drive the crankshaft.
Drive
To operate (a wheeled motorized vehicle).
Drive a car
This SUV drives like a car.
Drive
To operate (an aircraft).
Drive a 737
Drive
(transitive) To motivate; to provide an incentive for.
What drives a person to run a marathon?
Drive
(transitive) To compel (to do something).
Their debts finally drove them to sell the business.
Drive
(transitive) To cause to become.
This constant complaining is going to drive me to insanity.
You are driving me crazy!
Drive
To hit the ball with a drive.
Drive
(intransitive) To travel by operating a wheeled motorized vehicle.
I drive to work every day.
Drive
(transitive) To convey (a person, etc.) in a wheeled motorized vehicle.
My cousin drove me to the airport.
Drive
(intransitive) To move forcefully.
Drive
(intransitive) To be moved or propelled forcefully (especially of a ship).
Drive
(transitive) To urge, press, or bring to a point or state.
Drive
(transitive) To carry or to keep in motion; to conduct; to prosecute.
Drive
(transitive) To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
Drive
(mining) To dig horizontally; to cut a horizontal gallery or tunnel.
Drive
(American football) To put together a drive (n.): to string together offensive plays and advance the ball down the field.
Drive
(obsolete) To distrain for rent.
Drive
(transitive) To separate the lighter (feathers or down) from the heavier, by exposing them to a current of air.
Drive
To impel or urge onward by force in a direction away from one, or along before one; to push forward; to compel to move on; to communicate motion to; as, to drive cattle; to drive a nail; smoke drives persons from a room.
A storm came on and drove them into Pylos.
Shield pressed on shield, and man drove man along.
Go drive the deer and drag the finny prey.
Drive
To urge on and direct the motions of, as the beasts which draw a vehicle, or the vehicle borne by them; hence, also, to take in a carriage; to convey in a vehicle drawn by beasts; as, to drive a pair of horses or a stage; to drive a person to his own door.
How . . . proud he was to drive such a brother!
Drive
To urge, impel, or hurry forward; to force; to constrain; to urge, press, or bring to a point or state; as, to drive a person by necessity, by persuasion, by force of circumstances, by argument, and the like.
He, driven to dismount, threatened, if I did not do the like, to do as much for my horse as fortune had done for his.
Drive
To carry or; to keep in motion; to conduct; to prosecute.
The trade of life can not be driven without partners.
Drive
To clear, by forcing away what is contained.
To drive the country, force the swains away.
Drive
To dig Horizontally; to cut a horizontal gallery or tunnel.
Drive
To pass away; - said of time.
Drive
Specif., in various games, as tennis, baseball, etc., to propel (the ball) swiftly by a direct stroke or forcible throw.
Drive
To operate (a vehicle) while it is on motion, by manipulating the controls, such as the steering, propulsion, and braking mechanisms.
Drive
To rush and press with violence; to move furiously.
Fierce Boreas drove against his flying sails.
Under cover of the night and a driving tempest.
Time driveth onward fast,And in a little while our lips are dumb.
Drive
To be forced along; to be impelled; to be moved by any physical force or agent; to be driven.
The hull drives on, though mast and sail be torn.
The chaise drives to Mr. Draper's chambers.
Drive
To go by carriage; to pass in a carriage; to proceed by directing or urging on a vehicle or the animals that draw it; as, the coachman drove to my door.
Drive
To press forward; to aim, or tend, to a point; to make an effort; to strive; - usually with at.
Let them therefore declare what carnal or secular interest he drove at.
Drive
To distrain for rent.
Drive
To make a drive, or stroke from the tee.
Drive
To go from one place to another in a vehicle, serving as the operator of the vehicle; to drive{9} a vehicle from one location to another.
Drive
In various games, as tennis, cricket, etc., the act of player who drives the ball; the stroke or blow; the flight of the ball, etc., so driven.
Drive
A stroke from the tee, generally a full shot made with a driver; also, the distance covered by such a stroke.
Drive
The act of driving; a trip or an excursion in a carriage, as for exercise or pleasure; - distinguished from a ride taken on horseback.
Drive
A place suitable or agreeable for driving; a road prepared for driving.
Drive
Violent or rapid motion; a rushing onward or away; esp., a forced or hurried dispatch of business.
The Murdstonian drive in business.
Drive
In type founding and forging, an impression or matrix, formed by a punch drift.
Drive
A collection of objects that are driven; a mass of logs to be floated down a river.
Drive
A private road; a driveway.
Drive
A strong psychological motivation to perform some activity.
Drive
A device for reading or writing data from or to a data storage medium, as a disk drive, a tape drive, a CD drive, etc.
Drive
An organized effort by a group to accomplish a goal within a limited period of time; as, a fund-raising drive.
Drive
The period during which one team sustains movement of the ball toward the opponent's goal without losing possession of the ball; as, a long drive downfield.
Drive
An act of driving a vehicle, especially an automobile; the journey undertaken by driving an automobile; as, to go for a drive in the country.
Drive
The mechanism which causes the moving parts of a machine to move; as, a belt drive.
Drive
The way in which the propulsive force of a vehicle is transmitted to the road; as, a car with four-wheel drive, front-wheel drive, etc.
Drive
Driven.
Drive
The act of applying force to propel something;
After reaching the desired velocity the drive is cut off
Drive
A mechanism by which force or power is transmitted in a machine;
A variable speed drive permitted operation through a range of speeds
Drive
A series of actions advancing a principle or tending toward a particular end;
He supported populist campaigns
They worked in the cause of world peace
The team was ready for a drive toward the pennant
The movement to end slavery
Contributed to the war effort
Drive
A road leading up to a private house;
They parked in the driveway
Drive
The trait of being highly motivated;
His drive and energy exhausted his co-workers
Drive
Hitting a golf ball off of a tee with a driver;
He sliced his drive out of bounds
Drive
The act of driving a herd of animals overland
Drive
A journey in a vehicle driven by someone else;
He took the family for a drive in his new car
Drive
A physiological state corresponding to a strong need or desire
Drive
(computer science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium
Drive
A wide scenic road planted with trees;
The riverside drive offers many exciting scenic views
Drive
(sports) a hard straight return (as in tennis or squash)
Drive
Operate or control a vehicle;
Drive a car or bus
Can you drive this four-wheel truck?
Drive
Travel or be transported in a vehicle;
We drove to the university every morning
They motored to London for the theater
Drive
Cause someone or something to move by driving;
She drove me to school every day
We drove the car to the garage
Drive
Force into or from an action or state, either physically or metaphorically;
She rammed her mind into focus
He drives me mad
Drive
To compel or force or urge relentlessly or exert coercive pressure on, or motivate strongly;
She is driven by her passion
Drive
Cause to move back by force or influence;
Repel the enemy
Push back the urge to smoke
Beat back the invaders
Drive
Compel somebody to do something, often against his own will or judgment;
She finally drove him to change jobs
Drive
Push, propel, or press with force;
Drive a nail into the wall
Drive
Cause to move rapidly by striking or throwing with force;
Drive the ball far out into the field
Drive
Strive and make an effort to reach a goal;
She tugged for years to make a decent living
We have to push a little to make the deadline!
She is driving away at her doctoral thesis
Drive
Move into a desired direction of discourse;
What are you driving at?
Drive
Have certain properties when driven;
This car rides smoothly
My new truck drives well
Drive
Work as a driver;
He drives a bread truck
She drives for the taxi company in Newark
Drive
Move by being propelled by a force;
The car drove around the corner
Drive
Urge forward;
Drive the cows into the barn
Drive
Proceed along in a vehicle;
We drive the turnpike to work
Drive
Strike with a driver, as in teeing off;
Drive a golfball
Drive
Hit very hard and straight with the bat swinging more or less vertically;
Drive a ball
Drive
Excavate horizontally;
Drive a tunnel
Drive
Cause to function by supplying the force or power for or by controlling;
The amplifier drives the tube
Steam drives the engines
This device drives the disks for the computer
Drive
Hunting: search for game;
Drive the forest
Drive
Hunting: chase from cover into more open ground;
Drive the game
Common Curiosities
What is an example of cause and drive working together?
A cause might be a person's economic situation, and their drive to improve it motivates them to seek higher education.
What is the main difference between a cause and a drive?
Cause refers to the reason why something happens, while drive is about what motivates a person or entity to act.
Can a drive be considered a cause?
Yes, a drive can lead to actions and thus be considered a cause in behavioral contexts.
How do cause and drive interact in psychological contexts?
In psychology, causes might explain behaviors, whereas drives are the underlying motivations that propel these behaviors.
Why is understanding both cause and drive important in management?
Understanding both helps managers motivate their teams effectively, knowing not just why actions occur but what motivates their employees.
Can cause and drive be interchangeable in any scenario?
Cause and drive are not typically interchangeable as cause is more about a specific factor that leads to a result, and drive is about the motivation or force pushing an action.
How do cause and drive differ in a scientific context?
In scientific contexts, cause refers to a clearly defined and observable phenomenon leading to a specific result, whereas drive is less commonly used and may refer to theoretical or abstract motivational forces.
How can identifying a cause help in problem-solving?
Identifying a cause helps pinpoint the origin of a problem, which is essential for developing effective solutions and preventing future occurrences.
How do historical interpretations of cause differ from modern understandings?
Historically, causes were often understood in more deterministic or fatalistic terms, whereas modern interpretations usually incorporate complex interactions between multiple factors including psychological elements like drive.
Is the concept of drive always related to positive outcomes?
Not necessarily. Drive can lead to both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the nature of the motivation and the context in which it operates.
What role does drive play in personal success?
Drive is a critical factor in personal success as it fuels persistence, determination, and the pursuit of goals despite challenges.
How does drive affect team dynamics in a workplace?
Drive can significantly impact team dynamics by influencing the level of engagement, collaboration, and overall productivity of the team. High drive within a team can lead to greater innovation and success.
What can be done to increase a person’s drive?
Enhancing a person's drive can involve setting clear goals, providing motivation through rewards, creating a supportive environment, and helping them understand the value of their efforts.
Can a person's drive influence their perception of cause?
Yes, a person’s drive can influence how they perceive and prioritize different causes, especially in situations where multiple factors contribute to an outcome.
How does one measure drive compared to how one identifies a cause?
Drive is measured through behavioral indicators and psychological assessments, while causes are identified through evidence, experimentation, or logical analysis.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
