driven by greed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by greed" is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could use it in a sentence such as: "He was driven by greed to achieve success at any cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

They may simply be driven by greed.

The Economist

It's a vicious circle driven by greed.

The Guardian

"It was a mean-spirited criminal enterprise driven by greed".

The New York Times

Outsiders say the buyers have too much money and the sellers are driven by greed.

The Economist

During his trial, Mr. Datta testified that his actions were driven by "greed".

The New York Times

The trailer for When Mitt Came to Town depicts Romney as uncaring and driven by greed.

The Guardian

When Regis's game show briefly ruled, we feared that Americans were driven by greed.

The New York Times

He says his colleagues were driven by greed and "a lust for power".

The Guardian - Business

Prosecutors have portrayed Albert Pirro as a "crook" driven by greed.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

It was fear, delusion, irrationality not euphoria-driven-by-greed that caused the meltdown.

Huffington Post

Many Democratic activists regard the war as such an abomination an act of aggression justified by lies and driven by greed that they cannot have any truck with someone who supports it, even a liberal martyr.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by greed", ensure the context clearly illustrates how greed motivates the action or behavior being described. Provide specific examples to strengthen your point.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by greed" as a generic explanation for negative behavior. Instead, explore the specific circumstances and individual motivations that contribute to the character's actions, providing a more nuanced understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by greed" functions primarily as a post-positive modifier, describing the underlying motivation behind an action or a character's behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and serves to attribute a cause.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by greed" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions motivated by an excessive desire for wealth. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register, making it widely accessible. While its meaning is clear, avoid using it as a simplistic explanation and consider more nuanced motivations. Related phrases, such as "motivated by avarice" or "compelled by a lust for gain", offer alternative ways to express similar concepts. Remember to use "driven by greed" judiciously, ensuring the context supports the attribution of greed as a primary motivator. Overuse can lead to clichés, so strive for specificity and depth in your analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by avarice

Replaces 'greed' with 'avarice', emphasizing excessive desire for wealth.

motivated by cupidity

Uses 'cupidity' instead of 'greed', highlighting an intense desire for wealth.

propelled by avarice

Substitutes 'driven' with 'propelled', adding a sense of forceful movement due to greed.

motivated by self-interest

Replaces 'greed' with 'self-interest', focusing on personal gain as the primary motivator.

fueled by acquisitiveness

Uses 'acquisitiveness' to underscore the desire to acquire and possess, changing the sentence structure.

compelled by a lust for gain

Emphasizes the intense desire for profit, changing the sentence structure and word choice.

motivated by material gain

Replaces 'greed' with 'material gain', focusing on tangible rewards as the driving force.

governed by a desire for riches

Highlights the control that the desire for wealth exerts, changing sentence structure.

led by the pursuit of wealth

Shifts focus to the active chasing of wealth as the leading factor, and uses different sentence structure.

actuated by avarice

Replaces 'driven' with 'actuated', indicating that avarice is the reason for action.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by greed" to describe actions or decisions motivated by an excessive desire for wealth or material gain. For example: "The company's decision to cut corners was "driven by greed", ultimately harming its reputation."

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

Alternatives include "motivated by avarice", "compelled by a lust for gain", or "motivated by self-interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "driven by greed" in formal writing?

Yes, "driven by greed" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when analyzing motivations in business, politics, or historical events. However, ensure the context supports this assessment and avoid using it as a personal attack.

What is the difference between "driven by greed" and "ambitious"?

"Driven by greed" implies an excessive and often unethical pursuit of wealth, while "ambitious" suggests a strong desire for success and achievement through legitimate means. The key difference lies in the morality and methods employed.