be driven to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be driven to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong motivation or compulsion to do something. Example: "She felt she had to be driven to succeed in her career, no matter the obstacles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"You'd have to be driven to it," she said.

The New York Times

"I used to be driven to elementary school in one".

The New York Times

Then he would be driven to another hotel.

The New York Times - Sports

More regional banks may yet be driven to pair off.

The Economist

It should be driven to the closest safe place.

The New York Times

They would just be driven to stealing otherwise.

The Economist

The Conservative party could be driven to the margins and to oblivion.

The Guardian

"As a result those transfers would probably be driven to high-risk, high-cost informal channels".

The Guardian

Yet they form an enormous reservoir of believers who may someday be driven to act.

The New York Times

I wonder who she is and why she would be driven to take such action.

The Guardian

How could such a likeable and successful elite athlete be driven to such despair?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be driven to" when you want to emphasize that a strong internal or external force is compelling someone or something to take a specific action or reach a particular state. It often suggests a powerful motivation or a situation where there's little choice.

Common error

Avoid using "be driven to" when a weaker expression like "motivated to" or "encouraged to" would suffice. The phrase implies a significant level of compulsion or necessity, so reserve it for situations where the driving force is genuinely strong.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be driven to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a state of being compelled or strongly motivated towards a particular action or outcome. It signifies that an external or internal force is exerting considerable influence. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be driven to" is a versatile verb phrase used to express a strong sense of compulsion or motivation. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, it frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, and Ludwig AI indicates its grammatical correctness. While alternatives like "be compelled to" and "be motivated to" exist, "be driven to" is most appropriate when emphasizing a significant and often unavoidable influence. Be mindful of the intensity of the phrase and use it judiciously to accurately convey the degree of compulsion or motivation at play.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be compelled to

Suggests a sense of obligation or necessity, implying an external force is causing the action.

be forced to

Emphasizes a lack of choice and an imposition of will from an outside entity.

be motivated to

Highlights internal desire or incentives leading to a particular action.

be inclined to

Indicates a predisposition or tendency toward a certain action, less forceful than "be driven to".

be led to

Implies guidance or influence leading one towards a particular action or decision.

be prompted to

Suggests a triggering event or cue initiated the action.

be impelled to

Conveys a powerful, internal urge or pressure pushing someone to act.

be coerced into

Emphasizes the element of pressure and unwillingness in undertaking the action.

be predisposed to

Highlights inherent qualities or conditions making someone more likely to act in a specific manner.

feel obliged to

Implies a moral or social pressure leading to a particular action.

FAQs

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

Use "be driven to" to express a strong sense of compulsion or motivation to do something. For example, "The company was "be driven to" innovate due to market competition."

What are some alternatives to "be driven to"?

You can use alternatives like "be compelled to", "be forced to", or "be motivated to" depending on the specific context and the degree of compulsion you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "being driven to"?

Yes, "being driven to" is grammatically correct. It is often used in continuous tenses to describe an ongoing process of being compelled or motivated. For instance, "She is "being driven to" achieve her goals through sheer determination."

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

"Be driven to" implies a stronger, more forceful compulsion, often suggesting external pressures or internal anxieties pushing someone to act. "Be motivated to", on the other hand, suggests a more positive and internal desire or incentive. You are be motivated to do something by rewards, and you "be driven to" it by fear of failure.