driven by desperation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'driven by desperation' is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that a person is motivated or compelled to act a certain way because they are in a state of desperation or extreme need. Example: She was driven by desperation to steal the bread, as she had not eaten in days.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

He was, he says, driven by desperation.

Independent

They have been driven by desperation.

The New York Times

Driven by desperation, their families found a way forward.

The Guardian

My motive was mainly personal — I was driven by desperation, anger, madness, and stupidity".

The New Yorker

Driven by desperation to one dodge, Democratic pols might have been tempted to try others.

The New York Times

What exactly happened to her? Julia's tale begins just after her failure at Brakebills, and it is driven by desperation.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

Was he driven by emotional desperation or even mental illness?

The New York Times - Arts

Driven by fiscal desperation, governments will increasingly steel themselves to alter the way benefits work.Once that change begins, there will be jobs for those who want them.

The Economist

But as a decentralized business model in a traditionally sketchy industry, camming has its abuses, with some models driven by economic desperation or even enslavement.

The New York Times - Tech

As society breaks down, Lola transforms from a typical pre-teen into a murderous, street thief, driven by her desperation to survive in the chaos around her.

The Guardian

It would  be stretching a point to suggest that Schalk Burger's recovery from bacterial meningitis in 2013 was driven by his desperation to take one last shot at the All Blacks on the grandest of rugby stages.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by desperation", ensure the context clearly illustrates the dire circumstances that compel the action. This strengthens the narrative and provides a deeper understanding of the character's motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by desperation" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make the writing seem melodramatic. Consider using alternative phrases to vary your language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by desperation" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate the cause or motivation behind an action or state. Ludwig's examples show how it clarifies the impetus behind decisions made under extreme pressure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by desperation" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe actions motivated by extreme circumstances. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its function is to highlight the compelling reasons behind decisions made under pressure, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the surrounding context clearly illustrates the severity that forces one's decisions. While it is a powerful descriptor, overuse can dilute its impact, so consider alternatives when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by despair

Replaces "desperation" with "despair", emphasizing a loss of hope as the primary motivator.

compelled by dire need

Substitutes "driven" with "compelled" and "desperation" with "dire need", highlighting the urgency of the situation.

prompted by extreme urgency

Uses "prompted" instead of "driven" and focuses on the "extreme urgency" as the motivating factor.

fueled by utter hopelessness

Replaces "desperation" with "utter hopelessness", stressing the complete lack of positive outlook.

actuated by sheer necessity

Uses "actuated" as a more formal substitute for "driven", and "sheer necessity" in place of "desperation".

motivated by extreme circumstances

Replaces "desperation" with "extreme circumstances", broadening the scope of the reason behind the motivation.

inspired by critical plight

Replaces "driven" with "inspired", suggesting a more indirect form of influence, and "desperation" with "critical plight".

pushed by overwhelming need

Uses "pushed" as an alternative to "driven", and "overwhelming need" to represent the severity of the situation.

forced by exigent situation

Replaces "driven" with "forced", highlighting the lack of choice, and "desperation" with "exigent situation".

impelled by great difficulty

Uses "impelled" instead of "driven" and focuses on "great difficulty" as a cause.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by desperation" to describe actions or decisions made under extreme pressure or need. For example: "Driven by desperation, he took a job he normally would have refused".

What are some alternatives to saying "driven by desperation"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated by despair", "compelled by dire need", or "prompted by extreme urgency" to express similar meanings depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "driven by desperation"?

Yes, "driven by desperation" is grammatically correct. The Ludwig AI confirms that it's a standard and acceptable phrase in English.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "driven by desperation"?

It's suitable in contexts where characters or entities are facing extreme circumstances and making choices out of necessity, often involving risk or sacrifice.