driven by

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a course of action prompted by another factor. For example, you could say, "The team was driven by a shared desire for success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We're driven by competition".

The New York Times

We're driven by that".

The New York Times - Sports

I'm driven by that.

The New York Times

Probably driven by talking dogs.

The New Yorker

Don't be driven by necessity.

Independent

He was driven by ambition.

The New Yorker

It's not driven by politics.

The New York Times

"And it's driven by winning".

The New York Times - Sports

They may simply be driven by greed.

The Economist

"I'm driven by technology," he declared.

The New York Times

Ultimately, performance is driven by self-belief.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven by" to clearly indicate the motivating factor or cause behind an action or decision. For example, "The project's success was driven by the team's dedication".

Common error

Ensure that the stated cause is the true and primary motivator. Avoid oversimplifying complex situations by attributing outcomes to single factors when multiple influences are at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or clause, indicating the motivating force or cause behind an action or state. Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to indicate the motivating factor or cause behind an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to formal business communications. It effectively explains the underlying reasons or influences shaping a particular outcome, maintaining a neutral register and professional clarity. When using "driven by", ensure that the stated cause accurately reflects the primary motivator to avoid oversimplifying complex situations. Consider alternatives like "motivated by" or "prompted by" to fine-tune the specific meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by

Focus shifts to internal motivation rather than an external driving force.

fueled by

Emphasizes the energy or resource powering the action.

compelled by

Indicates a strong, almost irresistible force.

prompted by

Suggests a more immediate cause or trigger.

influenced by

Suggests a more subtle or indirect effect.

inspired by

Implies a positive influence or creative stimulus.

determined by

Highlights the factor that ultimately decides the outcome.

caused by

Directly states a cause-and-effect relationship.

led by

Highlights leadership or guidance as the primary influence.

actuated by

More formal and technical, indicating a mechanical or deliberate action.

FAQs

How can I use "driven by" in a sentence?

Use "driven by" to show what motivates or causes something. For instance, "The company's growth is driven by innovation".

What are some alternatives to "driven by"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated by", "prompted by", or "caused by" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "driven by" or "caused by"?

"Driven by" often implies a proactive or intentional force, while "caused by" is a more general term for causation. Choose the phrase that best reflects the nature of the relationship you're describing.

Can "driven by" be used for negative motivations?

Yes, "driven by" can be used for both positive and negative motivations. For example, "His actions were driven by greed".