be driven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be driven" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone being motivated or influenced by a particular factor or force. Example: "She will be driven by her passion for environmental conservation in her career choices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't be driven by necessity.

Independent

They may simply be driven by greed.

The Economist

You cannot be driven just by money.

The Economist

I prefer to be driven.

The Guardian - Film

They've got to be driven.

The New Yorker

Make that, will be driven through.

The New York Times

It must also be driven by values.

The Guardian

"It likes to be driven hard.

The New York Times - Travel

You have to be driven by something.

The Guardian

It should be driven by everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You have to be driven," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be driven" to emphasize the external forces or motivations that compel someone to act. This is especially effective when describing abstract concepts or powerful influences.

Common error

Avoid using "be driven" when you mean to describe active self-motivation. Ensure that the subject is clearly being acted upon by an external force, not initiating the action themselves.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be driven" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is acted upon by an external force or motivation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be driven" is a common and grammatically sound passive verb phrase used to describe the state of being compelled or motivated by an external force. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly acted upon, and consider alternatives like "be motivated" or "be compelled" to fine-tune the meaning. Avoiding misuse by ensuring the passive construction is appropriate will enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be motivated

Focuses on internal incentives rather than external forces.

be compelled

Emphasizes a sense of obligation or necessity.

be influenced

Highlights the impact of external factors on one's actions.

be propelled

Suggests a strong force pushing someone forward.

be guided

Implies direction and leadership from an external source.

be inspired

Highlights the uplifting and encouraging aspect of motivation.

be determined

Focuses on one's own decision, rather than an external motivator.

be led

Emphasizes direction and control by an external entity.

be dictated

Suggests a rigid and inflexible form of control.

be dominated

Highlights an overwhelming control or power.

FAQs

How can I use "be driven" in a sentence?

You can use "be driven" to indicate that someone or something is compelled or motivated by a particular force or reason. For example: "The project will "be driven" by the need for innovation".

What are some alternatives to "be driven"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "be motivated", "be compelled", or "be influenced" to convey similar meanings.

When is it appropriate to use "be driven"?

It's appropriate to use "be driven" when you want to emphasize that an external factor is the primary motivator behind an action or decision. It highlights the impact of that driving force.

What's the difference between "be driven" and "be motivated"?

"Be driven" suggests a stronger, perhaps even involuntary, compulsion, while "be motivated" implies a more internal and voluntary desire to achieve something.