driven and ambitious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven and ambitious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is highly motivated and determined to achieve their goals. Example: "She is a driven and ambitious individual, always striving for excellence in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Coming from an affluent family (his father was an influential lawyer), having connections and being driven to succeed, which apparently rubbed many of his equally driven and ambitious classmates the wrong way.

Los Angeles Times

He was as driven and ambitious as the best.

The Guardian - Film

Unlike, say, an active alcoholic, a workaholic is productive, driven and ambitious.

The New York Times

Think of an employee or an individual who is very driven and ambitious.

Harvard Business Review

The two men, both of whom are driven and ambitious, compete in the same markets.

The New York Times

"I am sure they will have enjoyed themselves for a couple of days, but their players and coaches are all driven and ambitious," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Non Zero One's Fran Miller says they are all "quite goal-driven and ambitious", and beyond the company their working lives are spread across British theatre from Arts Admin to the West End, so they have learned every aspect of how the industry operates.

The Guardian

We don't go to college to get an "MRS degree". Southern women are just as driven, hardworking and ambitious as women in the rest of the country.

HuffPost

"I think Holly [Willoughby] and I have both struggled with that slightly – with having our ideas taken seriously and showing how driven and how ambitious we are.

The Guardian

At one end is the cynical, ageing ex-player, at the other end is a young, driven and highly ambitious expert.

BBC

At HBS, I connected with and was inspired by some of the most purpose-driven, humble, and ambitious people I've known.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "driven and ambitious", provide specific examples of their actions or accomplishments to illustrate these qualities. This adds credibility and makes your description more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "driven and ambitious" as a default description for every high-achieving individual. Tailor your language to reflect their unique qualities and specific achievements. Generic descriptions lack impact and can sound insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven and ambitious" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun to characterize someone's personality or work ethic. Ludwig AI’s analysis confirms its role in attributing qualities of strong motivation and a desire for achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "driven and ambitious" is a commonly used and grammatically correct descriptor, primarily functioning as an adjective phrase. Ludwig AI's analysis indicates that it effectively conveys qualities of strong motivation and a desire for achievement. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts, and while suitable for various registers, it’s crucial to use it thoughtfully, providing specific examples to avoid generic descriptions. Alternatives such as "motivated and determined" or "goal-oriented and assertive" can offer nuanced variations depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated and determined

Replaces "driven" with "motivated" and "ambitious" with "determined", focusing on internal desire and resolve.

ambitious and persistent

Swaps "driven" with "persistent", which speaks more about perseverance.

results-oriented and ambitious

Focuses on achieving tangible outcomes and having significant goals.

goal-oriented and assertive

Emphasizes the focus on achieving goals and taking confident action.

proactive and determined

Highlights taking initiative and having a strong will to succeed.

highly motivated and aspiring

Uses "aspiring" to emphasize the desire for advancement and achievement.

determined and purposeful

Focuses on having a clear sense of direction and unwavering resolve.

enterprising and resourceful

Highlights the ability to find and create opportunities and to use available resources effectively.

energetic and goal-driven

Replaces "ambitious" with "goal-driven" and it highlights high energy levels.

career-focused and motivated

More targeted and more specific to professional life.

FAQs

How can I use "driven and ambitious" in a sentence?

You can use "driven and ambitious" to describe someone with a strong desire to succeed and a proactive approach to achieving their goals. For example, "She is a "driven and ambitious" leader who consistently exceeds expectations."

What are some synonyms for "driven and ambitious"?

Alternatives include "motivated and determined", "goal-oriented and assertive", or "enterprising and resourceful", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use both "driven" and "ambitious"?

While both words relate to success, "driven" emphasizes the internal motivation and energy, while "ambitious" highlights the desire for achievement and advancement. Using them together can create a stronger, more comprehensive description.

What is the difference between "driven and ambitious" and "hardworking and dedicated"?

"Hardworking and dedicated" focuses on effort and commitment, whereas "driven and ambitious" highlights the underlying motivation and desire for significant achievement. Someone can be hardworking without necessarily being driven or particularly ambitious.