a driving influence

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a driving influence" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something or someone that has a significant impact or motivation behind an action or decision. Example: "Her passion for environmental conservation has been a driving influence in her career choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Over the past 30 years, hip-hop producers and rappers have sampled tracks from the legendary musician and have often sighted his constant metamorphasis throughout his 69 album career as a driving influence in their own lives.

Independent

Living in Los Angeles having grown up in Chile, Castillo developed a multicultural perspective on American culture that has served as a driving influence for his paintings.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

For a PGC analysis a simple increase in firing rate must correspond to a increase in the driving influence between two spike trains to be causal.

Plosone

And this is another feature of British Euroscepticism: the driving influence of the Tory party's ideological right.

The Economist

Like I said before, there are two major areas that have driving influence for us in entrepreneurship.

Forbes

But it was Beck who ended up being one of the driving influences of the record.

Independent

At the time of the Exxon Valdez incident, his New York state driving privileges were suspended as a result of a driving under the influence arrest on September 13 , 1988

Wikipedia

He'd been sentenced to six months followed by treatment on a driving under the influence of drugs charge and his mom had finally found a rehab for him that would allow him to try new medication for ADHD, rather than require he completely abstain from drug use.

Vice

The storyline in this episode, which features Tracy having to wear an ankle bracelet to monitor alcohol levels in his sweat due to a driving under the influence arrest, is based on events which actually happened to actor Tracy Morgan, who portrays Tracy Jordan.

Wikipedia

The influence of a driving static shear stress on the liquefaction resistance of medium dense granular soils is investigated.

Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering

The current study used a driving simulator to examine the influence of both the driver's intended manoeuvre and the gap duration on gap acceptance behaviour at stop-controlled T-intersections.

Transportation Research Part F: Traffic Psychology and Behaviour

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a driving influence", ensure that the noun it modifies clearly benefits from that influence. For instance, it's better to say "a driving influence in her career" than "a driving influence on the wall".

Common error

Avoid overusing "a driving influence" in contexts where the influence is indirect or weak. Reserve it for situations where the impact is substantial and directly related to the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a driving influence" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object complement. It describes something or someone that exerts a significant and directional impact on a particular outcome or process, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a driving influence" is a phrase used to describe a significant motivating factor or force behind an action or outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively rare in occurrence, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the influence is substantial and directly related to the outcome you're describing. Consider alternatives like "a key motivator" or "a major impetus" for subtle variations in meaning. Overall, the phrase is a useful tool for emphasizing the importance of a particular influence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A key motivator

Emphasizes the motivational aspect of the influence.

A major impetus

Highlights the force that initiates action.

A significant catalyst

Focuses on the triggering effect of the influence.

A central force

Stresses the importance and power of the influence.

A primary instigator

Highlights the role of initiating or provoking action.

A leading factor

Emphasizes the importance among several contributing elements.

A crucial element

Focuses on the essential nature of the influence.

A vital component

Highlights that the influence is an integral part of a larger whole.

A powerful determinant

Stresses the decisive nature of the influence.

A strong motivator

Highlights the potent force behind someone's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "a driving influence" in a sentence?

Use "a driving influence" to describe a key factor that motivates or shapes a particular outcome. For example, "Her passion for social justice was "a driving influence" in her decision to become a lawyer."

What can I say instead of "a driving influence"?

You can use alternatives like "a key motivator", "a major impetus", or "a significant catalyst" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "driving force" instead of "a driving influence"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "driving force" typically refers to something that propels action or change, whereas "a driving influence" emphasizes a more directional or shaping effect. They can often be used interchangeably, but consider the nuance.

What's the difference between "a driving influence" and "an influence"?

"An influence" simply indicates an effect on something, while "a driving influence" suggests a more powerful, motivating impact. The word 'driving' emphasizes the proactive and directional nature of the influence.