being driven by emotion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being driven by emotion" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are influenced primarily by feelings rather than logic or reason. Example: "Her decision to leave the job was not based on rational thought; she was simply being driven by emotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But it's hard to write history about events that are being driven by emotion.

The New York Times

Dr. Ury added, "So much of what we're seeing is being driven by emotion, anger, frustration and feelings of betrayal".

The New York Times

He smiles, seeing the risk of being accused of being driven by emotion rather than rigorous statistical analysis.

The Guardian

They reckon that UK politics is being driven by emotion rather than reason and that there is not much they can do to prevent a hard Brexit".

The Guardian

"And without thinking about it, you start talking about the logs along the side of the river and the lack of mature forests in Borneo". He smiles, seeing the risk of being accused of being driven by emotion rather than rigorous statistical analysis.

The Guardian

And there's something else at play here though some don't want to say it: Because the work is empirical and evidence-based, it goes a long way toward blunting the stereotyping of female leaders as being driven by emotion and personal relationships rather than by facts.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Emotional expression, by contrast, can mean being driven by emotions so that it isn't possible to think".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

This is transformational work that helps you shift from being driven by emotions to making a choice about the most effective mindset and emotion for each situation.

Huffington Post

"Iraqis are driven by emotion, not reason," Professor Hadithi said.

The New York Times

"The market is improved, but people are driven by emotion and what they are told.

The New York Times

Policing will fail because voters, as much as candidates, can be driven by emotion.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase when you want to highlight the contrast between rational thought and emotional impulses in driving behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "being driven by emotion" as a blanket statement without specifying which emotion is at play. Different emotions can lead to vastly different outcomes, so be specific.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being driven by emotion" functions as a descriptive predicate, indicating the primary influence on someone's actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI indicates, this suggests feelings, rather than logic, are the motivating factor.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "being driven by emotion" describes actions primarily influenced by feelings rather than rational thought. As Ludwig AI points out, it is considered grammatically correct and finds frequent use across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "motivated by emotion" or "led by feelings" exist, "being driven by emotion" effectively highlights the power of emotions in shaping behavior. Therefore, to use this phrase properly, be sure you are being specific in the type of emotion you are describing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by emotion

Emphasizes the role of emotion as a motivator for behavior.

guided by emotions

Highlights emotions as a source of guidance and direction.

led by feelings

Focuses on feelings as the guiding force behind actions.

influenced by sentiment

Focuses on the impact of feelings on choices and actions.

swayed by sentiment

Highlights the persuasive power of feelings in influencing decisions.

operating on emotion

Emphasizes the active role of emotions in decision-making.

acting on impulse

Emphasizes the spontaneous and immediate nature of actions influenced by feelings.

reacting emotionally

Underlines the reactive aspect of behaviors prompted by feelings.

governed by passion

Highlights the intense and overwhelming nature of emotions.

acting irrationally

Highlights the lack of logical thinking and reason when making decisions.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone is "being driven by emotion"?

It means that their actions or decisions are primarily influenced by their feelings rather than logic or reason. Their behavior is dictated by how they feel at the moment.

What are some alternative ways to say "being driven by emotion"?

You could say someone is "motivated by emotion", "led by feelings", or "swayed by sentiment", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say someone is "being driven by emotion"?

Not necessarily. While it often implies a lack of rational thought, sometimes acting on emotions can be positive, such as showing empathy or acting on inspiration.

How can I avoid "being driven by emotion" in important decisions?

Take a step back, assess the situation calmly, consider the long-term consequences, and seek advice from trusted sources. This helps to balance emotions with rational thinking.