could be driven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could be driven" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a possibility or potential for something to be operated or controlled, often in the context of vehicles or metaphorically in other situations. Example: "The new electric car model could be driven for over 300 miles on a single charge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

"If everyone does this, the company could be driven out of business," Mr. Daily said.

The New York Times

Change could be driven by altering the requirements for police recruits, he said.

The Guardian

If they did not vote, the government could be driven out of office.

The New York Times

The car could be driven with a joystick or a device resembling a video-game controller.

The New York Times

No track has been found where it could be driven that fast.

The New York Times

If the illuminant was acetylene gas, the lens rotation could be driven by gas pressure.

Encyclopedia Britannica

managers who lack the capital to retain the risk could be driven out of the market.

The New York Times

"They wonder why a pillar of the community could be driven to kill".

The New York Times - Arts

This could be driven by the allosteric motion driven by TMH13, as described above.

Nature

Also, our results could be driven in part by how others react to CEOs' behavior.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing autonomous systems or vehicles, use "could be driven" to emphasize the potential for automated operation or control. Example: "The new software update allows the car to be driven autonomously".

Common error

Avoid using "could be driven" with overly general subjects, as it can create ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "Things could be driven by change", specify what 'things' and 'change' refer to for clarity, i.e., "Company profits could be driven by changes in consumer spending".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could be driven" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating a potential action or influence exerted upon a subject. It suggests a possibility or potential, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

45%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "could be driven" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to denote potential influence, operation, or causation. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed across diverse fields such as news, science, and academia, allowing for a neutral register. While alternatives such as "may be influenced" or "might stem from" offer nuanced variations, maintaining clarity and avoiding vague subjects are crucial for effective communication. Proper usage ensures that "could be driven" accurately conveys the intended meaning, whether describing market trends, research findings, or operational modes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could be influenced by

Emphasizes the external factors affecting something, making the influence more explicit.

might be propelled

Replaces "could" with "might" and "driven" with "propelled", softening the assertion and emphasizing the act of being moved forward.

could be powered by

Highlights the source of power or energy that drives something, often used in a technical or mechanical context.

may be influenced

Shifts the focus to influence rather than direct control or action, implying a less forceful impact.

can be attributed to

Specifies that something can be credited or assigned to a particular cause or factor.

can be motivated

Highlights the potential for motivation or incentive, suggesting a driving force behind an action or decision.

might result from

Focuses on the potential outcome or consequence of something, implying a causal relationship.

may be led by

Shifts the focus to leadership or guidance, suggesting that something is directed or steered by someone or something else.

might stem from

Indicates that something originates or arises from a particular source, focusing on the origin of the driving force.

may arise from

Suggests that something could emerge or develop from a specific cause or condition.

FAQs

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

Use "could be driven" to indicate a potential influencing factor or a possible method of operation. For instance, "The increase in sales "could be driven by" the new marketing campaign", or "The car "could be driven" remotely".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "could be driven"?

Alternatives include "may be influenced", "might stem from", or "can be attributed to", depending on the specific context and intended meaning.

Is "could be driven by" different from "is driven by"?

"Could be driven by" suggests a possibility or potential influence, whereas "is driven by" indicates a definite and current influence. For example, "Profits "could be driven by" increased sales" means it's a potential factor, while "Profits "are driven by" increased sales" means it's a current, established cause.

When is it appropriate to use "could be driven" in formal writing?

It is appropriate in formal writing when discussing potential causal relationships or possible operational methods. Ensure the context is clear and the subject of influence or operation is well-defined. For example, "The research findings "could be driven" by methodological biases".