driven by desire

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by desire" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions or motivations that are strongly influenced or motivated by a person's desires or ambitions. Example: "Her decision to pursue a career in art was driven by desire to express herself creatively."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

His portraits are driven by desire and fascination.

The Guardian - Arts

Men were driven by desire for glory as well as by money; the one was not merely a fig leaf for the other.

The New York Times - Books

Guided by Sentayhu Eshetu, the town's talent spotter and coach, the girls are driven by desire and aspiration, and are at times crippled by uncertainty as the roots of distance running are laid bare in the African mountains.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In between, Mr. Fincher and Mr. Sorkin offer up a creation story for the digital age and something of a morality tale, one driven by desire, marked by triumph, tainted by betrayal and inspired by the new gospel: the geek shall inherit the earth.

The New York Times

"Mr. Fincher and Mr. Sorkin offer up a creation story for the digital age and something of a morality tale, one driven by desire, marked by triumph, tainted by betrayal and inspired by the new gospel: the geek shall inherit the earth".

The New York Times - Arts

She added: "Mr. Fincher and Mr. Sorkin offer up a creation story for the digital age and something of a morality tale, one driven by desire, marked by triumph, tainted by betrayal and inspired by the new gospel: the geek shall inherit the earth".

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Unmanageable consumers are people who are not mechanically and predictably driven by desires for more and more goods.

The Guardian

In contrast, the professional group, unable to benefit from lower performance rights and driven by desires to explore new theatrical forms focus on new writing and devised work.

The Guardian

He speculated that the VNQDD were driven by "desires for personal power and economic gain".

Wikipedia

I'm driven by other desires now; desires that give me serenity.

Vice

His desire for immortality, however, is driven by his desire to realize the abstract ideal of humanism.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven by desire" to clearly indicate that a person's actions or decisions are strongly influenced by their wants and aspirations.

Common error

While acceptable, "driven by desire" can sound melodramatic in formal writing. Consider alternatives like "motivated by ambition" or "guided by goals" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by desire" functions as a descriptive phrase, typically used to explain the underlying motivation or cause behind someone's actions or decisions. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is perfectly correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by desire" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone's actions are strongly motivated by their wants and aspirations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts. While versatile, it's worth noting that alternatives like "motivated by ambition" or "fueled by passion" might be more appropriate in certain formal settings. This analysis provides insights into its usage, offering guidance on best practices and common errors to avoid.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by ambition

Focuses on ambition as the primary motivator, rather than a general desire.

fueled by passion

Highlights passion as the driving force, suggesting strong enthusiasm.

propelled by yearning

Emphasizes a strong feeling of longing or craving.

guided by aspiration

Suggests a guiding force of hope and ambition.

inspired by longing

Highlights the inspirational aspect of a deep-seated desire.

compelled by craving

Implies a strong, irresistible urge or need.

actuated by impulse

Focuses on spontaneous action triggered by a sudden desire.

prompted by urge

Suggests an internal push or inclination.

determined by ambition

Highlights ambition as the determining factor.

instigated by craving

Implies that a craving initiated a specific action or behavior.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by desire" to describe someone whose actions are strongly influenced by what they want. For example: "His relentless pursuit of success was "driven by desire" to prove himself".

What are some alternatives to "driven by desire"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated by ambition", "fueled by passion", or "guided by aspiration" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "driven by desire" too strong for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "driven by desire" can sometimes sound overly dramatic in formal contexts. Consider using phrases like "motivated by goals" or "guided by principles" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "driven by desire" and "motivated by need"?

"Driven by desire" implies a focus on wants and aspirations, while "motivated by need" suggests actions are prompted by necessity or a lack of something. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize aspiration or requirement.