be guided by something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be guided by something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to follow or consider a particular principle, idea, or piece of information in their decision-making process. Example: "In your research, be guided by the latest scientific findings to ensure accuracy and relevance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But your décor decisions must be guided by something.

The New York Times

But this Court has never before abandoned the view that jury instructions must contain a statement of the applicable law sufficiently precise to enable the jury to be guided by something other than its rough notions of social justice.

Harvard University

And that's why it's so important to let your gift be guided by something more clear".

Huffington Post

The Invisible Hand must be guided by something other than economic factors.

Huffington Post

4) Be willing to be surprised and to be guided by something larger than yourself.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

It helped articulate what Mr. Smith said he has always known about himself: he is guided by something greater than himself.

The New York Times

And, as the demonstration showed, this space age weapon is guided by something every self-respecting 14-year-old is familiar with: a controller just like those used to play video games.

BBC

They are guided by something very different than a moral code.

Huffington Post

It is made with conviction, with vision, with passion, with faith, with love, and it is guided by something both within you and beyond you, and so therefore incalculable by you.

Huffington Post

They tell us about the vintage, the land the estate is on, the farming techniques, the wine-making techniques, the grape varieties, and a sense of the philosophy and ideas that the human element is being guided by". "It's something that's beyond discussion and contemplation," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Users don't tend to read through onboarding screens that well, and often allow themselves to be guided by the user interface – something we've learned to do after spending years on PCs clicking "next" to install software or bypass EULA's.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be guided by something", ensure that the "something" is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be guided by something" when the "something" is too abstract or undefined. This can leave the reader confused about what specific principles or information should influence their actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be guided by something" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a subject is being directed or influenced by a particular principle, idea, or factor. This is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig, where decisions or actions are shown to be influenced by external factors.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be guided by something" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It conveys the idea of allowing a specific factor or principle to direct one's actions or decisions. While its usage is relatively rare, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media and academic settings. When employing this phrase, ensure that the "something" providing guidance is clearly defined to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "follow something's lead" or "be led by something" to vary your writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be led by something

A straightforward alternative focusing on being directed by a force or idea.

follow something's lead

This alternative suggests a more active following of a direction or influence.

take direction from something

Emphasizes the act of receiving and acting upon guidance from a source.

let something be your guiding principle

Highlights the role of something as a fundamental rule or belief.

draw inspiration from something

Focuses on influence that sparks creativity or motivation.

be under something's influence

Suggests a more passive state of being affected by something.

adhere to something

Implies strict compliance with a set of rules or principles.

align with something

Emphasizes agreement or conformity with a standard or ideal.

take cues from something

Suggests watching and learning from something to inform your actions.

be informed by something

Highlights the role of knowledge or information in influencing decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "be guided by something" in a sentence?

You can use "be guided by something" to suggest that a decision or action should be influenced by a specific principle, piece of information, or source. For example: "In your research, "be guided by something", such as the latest scientific findings to ensure accuracy".

What's the difference between "be guided by something" and "be influenced by something"?

"Be guided by something" suggests a more deliberate and intentional direction, implying a conscious choice to follow a specific path. "Be influenced by something" is broader, encompassing any kind of effect, whether intended or not.

Are there formal alternatives to "be guided by something"?

Yes, in more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "adhere to something", "be governed by something", or "conform to something" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

What are some common things people might "be guided by"?

People might "be guided by something" such as principles, values, data, expert opinions, intuition, or a code of conduct. The specific "something" depends on the context and the decision being made.