a primary driver of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary driver of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a main factor or influence behind a particular outcome or situation. Example: "In recent years, technological advancements have been a primary driver of economic growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Remodeling epithelia is a primary driver of morphogenesis.

Developmental Cell

Wisdom 2.0 focused on technology — a primary driver of the increasing unmanageability of our lives.

Harvard Business Review

These productivity improvements are a primary driver of long-term economic growth.

The New York Times

Royer, D. L. et al. CO2 as a primary driver of Phanerozoic climate.

Nature

He added that the "Economy Plus upsell was, once again, a primary driver of this growth".

The New York Times

Housing development has emerged as a primary driver of land-use change around the world.

Landscape and Urban Planning

Water temperature is a primary driver of aquatic organism migration, drift, growth and metabolism in both stream and hyporheic zone.

Journal of Hydrology

Previous research has suggested that a primary driver of this job polarization is something called routine-biased technological change.

Harvard Business Review

For this reason and others, many point to differences in family structure as a primary driver of racial income inequality.

The New York Times

We've spent almost a century with phone calls as a primary driver of productivity in the workplace.

Harvard Business Review

And what did the president mean when he said Social Security was "not a primary driver" of the debt?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary driver of", ensure that the subject you are describing is indeed a significant and direct influence, not merely a correlated factor. For example, specify the context and provide evidence.

Common error

Avoid using "a primary driver of" when the factor is only a minor or indirect influence. Using the phrase accurately maintains credibility and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary driver of" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main cause or influential factor behind a specific event, trend, or outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It introduces the most important element contributing to a particular result.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a primary driver of" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that indicates the main cause or influence behind a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various reliable sources. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the subject is a significant and direct influence. Consider alternatives like "a key factor in" or "a major influence on" depending on the specific nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a key factor in

Emphasizes importance, but is more general than indicating a driving force.

a major influence on

Focuses on the impact rather than the driving action.

a leading cause of

Specifically indicates causation, which may be more direct than a driver.

a significant contributor to

Highlights the contribution aspect, implying a less dominant role.

an important impetus for

Suggests the phrase acts as an encouragement or initial force.

a crucial element in

Highlights the importance of a necessary part of the process.

a central component of

Focuses on being an integral part, rather than a cause.

the mainspring of

More metaphorical, suggesting a source of energy or motivation.

the foundation for

Indicates a base or support, rather than a driving force.

underlying reason for

Highlights a fundamental reason that might not be immediately apparent.

FAQs

How can I use "a primary driver of" in a sentence?

Use "a primary driver of" to indicate the most significant factor causing a particular outcome. For example, "Technological innovation is "a primary driver of" economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "a primary driver of"?

You can use alternatives such as "a key factor in", "a major influence on", or "a leading cause of" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "the primary driver for" instead of "a primary driver of"?

While "the primary driver for" might be acceptable in some contexts, ""a primary driver of"" is generally preferred for its broader applicability and smoother grammatical flow.

What's the difference between "a primary driver of" and "a contributing factor to"?

"A primary driver of" suggests a more dominant and direct influence, whereas "a contributing factor to" implies a less significant or indirect role in causing a particular outcome.