an underlying driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an underlying driver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a fundamental factor or reason that influences a situation or outcome. Example: "The research identified an underlying driver of employee dissatisfaction within the organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

As in Japan, an underlying driver of the U.S. credit crisis was a housing price bubble, Wharton School finance professor Franklin Allen tells Knowledge@Wharton in this interview.

Forbes

"It's an underlying driver of many of the world's most intractable health problems, which has not been widely understood".

Unicef

We next sought to identify an underlying driver responsible for the persistent activation of the HER3-EGFR-PI3K signaling axis in lapatinib-resistant HER2+ breast cancer cells.

Breast Cancer Research

3 A marked shift to vitamin D deficiency in early life in modern populations may be an underlying driver of the reported rise in allergic diseases including food allergy and eczema.

BMJ Open

Furthermore, even in non- MYCN-amplified tumours, a MYCN-amplified transcriptional signature is observed (Valentijn et al., 2012), and levels of c-Myc can also be elevated (Mestdagh et al., 2010), together suggesting that Myc signalling is an underlying driver of NB tumorigenesis.

DMM Disease Models and Mechanisms

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"A key underlying driver of our business will be the expansion of the consumer's ability to make music portable," Napster's president, Michael Bebel, said.

The New York Times - Tech

"Thus, we examine the role of self-esteem as a possible underlying driver of the effects observed in our Israeli study". For this part of the study, researchers commissioned a survey of 855 people, about half of whom were female, with an average age of 36.

HuffPost

A key underlying driver behind the work described here was to identify previously approved drugs that lack any emetogenic liability as PDE4 inhibitors.

Biochemical Pharmacology

Focusing on systemic-onset juvenile arthritis, which causes joint inflammation and other symptoms in young children and had no effective therapies, one of her major contributions was identifying a molecule as the underlying driver of the disease.

Cornell University

Without a doubt, the biggest underlying driver of the most interesting presidential election in my lifetime is the damage healthcare has done to the middle class.

Forbes

"If you're trying to manage for fire, it's probably a better strategy to manage for the underlying driver of fire across the West.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an underlying driver", ensure it clearly connects to the outcome or situation being explained to provide a comprehensive understanding for the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "an underlying driver" when a simpler explanation such as "the reason" or "the cause" would suffice. Overusing complex phrasing can obscure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an underlying driver" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a fundamental cause or motivating factor. It is used to pinpoint the root influence in a situation, as illustrated by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an underlying driver" is a noun phrase used to denote a fundamental cause or motivation, often requiring deeper analysis to uncover. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and suitable for formal contexts, although simpler alternatives may sometimes be more appropriate. While primarily found in scientific and news media sources, its impact is best realized when clarifying complex causal relationships. The phrase provides a deeper understanding of complex topics.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fundamental cause

Focuses more directly on the causal relationship.

a key motivating factor

Emphasizes the element of motivation or influence.

a primary driving force

Highlights the energetic or dynamic aspect of the cause.

a basic root cause

Draws attention to the foundational nature of the cause.

a central impetus

Suggests a force that initiates or propels action.

the mainspring

Implies the most essential part that keeps everything working.

a core reason

Simplifies the explanation to its most basic element.

the principal influence

Focuses on the effect one thing has on another.

a major determinant

Highlights the role in shaping a specific outcome.

a significant contributor

Indicates that it is one of several important factors.

FAQs

How can I use "an underlying driver" in a sentence?

Use "an underlying driver" to point out a fundamental cause or reason behind a particular situation. For instance, "Vitamin D deficiency can be an underlying driver of allergic diseases".

What phrases are similar to "an underlying driver"?

Alternatives include "a fundamental cause", "a key motivating factor", or "a primary driving force". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "an underlying driver" in formal writing?

Yes, "an underlying driver" is suitable for formal writing, especially when analyzing complex relationships or identifying key factors in academic, scientific, or business contexts.

How does "an underlying driver" differ from a simple "cause"?

"An underlying driver" suggests a more fundamental, perhaps less obvious, cause compared to a simple "cause". It implies a deeper level of analysis to uncover the root influence.