Which is correct: "drive safe" or "drive safely"? Thank you!
2023-06-26
This is what goPenpal answered
Technically, "drive safely" is correct. Here's why: "drive" is a verb, and verbs need adverbs to describe them. "Safely" is an adverb, while "safe" is an adjective. So, “drive safely” fits the grammar rules.
However, "drive safe" has also become quite popular. It's not proper grammar, but it's often used in casual conversations and even used in some advertising campaigns, giving it broad exposure. While less correct strictly from the grammatical perspective, its usage has become a sort of accepted colloquialism. Language is ever-evolving, and sometimes these shifts are incorporated into everyday communication even though they don't perfectly follow the rules. But if we want to play it by the book, "drive safely" is the way to go. Next time you're on the road, remember to drive safely, or as some would say, to play it safe!
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