driven by necessity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by necessity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions or decisions that are motivated by urgent needs or requirements. Example: "The team was driven by necessity to find a solution quickly, as the deadline was approaching."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Don't be driven by necessity.

Independent

Perhaps this is driven by necessity.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Musk's optimism might in part be driven by necessity.

The Guardian

This may in part be driven by necessity.

The New York Times

Necessity Drives Change Portugal's venture was driven by necessity.

The New York Times - Science

Driven by necessity, they started producing lacy thongs that were sold to tourists at the nearby ski resorts.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Or is it driven by blind necessity?

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet the impetus for change is driven by internal necessity.

The Economist

The theatre says the move was driven by economic necessity.

The Guardian

Many people have different kinds of family arrangements, often driven by financial necessity.

Independent

Outsider art is folk, self-taught, naive or visionary, sometimes driven by psychological necessity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by necessity", ensure that the context clearly establishes the compelling circumstances. This helps the reader understand the urgency and lack of alternatives that led to the action.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by necessity" when describing routine decisions or actions that are not genuinely compelled by urgent needs. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and make your writing sound overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by necessity" functions primarily as an adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun to describe a condition or state caused by unavoidable circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across diverse sentence structures.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "driven by necessity" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that explains or justifies actions, decisions, or situations resulting from unavoidable circumstances. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it functions as an adjective phrase and appears frequently in news, science, and business contexts. When using this phrase, make sure the compelling circumstances are clear to the reader to avoid overuse and maintain impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

compelled by need

Focuses on the compelling aspect of the need, implying less choice.

dictated by circumstances

Emphasizes the role of external circumstances in determining the course of action.

necessitated by events

Highlights that specific events have made the action unavoidable.

required due to urgency

Indicates that the urgency of the situation is the key factor.

prompted by exigency

Uses a more formal term, 'exigency', to refer to a pressing need or demand.

motivated by obligation

Shifts the focus to a sense of duty or requirement.

enforced by the situation

Suggests a lack of control due to the constraints of the situation.

constrained by reality

Highlights the limiting aspects of real-world conditions.

impelled by lack

Emphasizes the deficiency or absence of something as the driving force.

urged by crisis

Emphasizes the presence of a crisis as the primary motivator.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by necessity" to describe actions or decisions that are motivated by unavoidable circumstances or urgent needs. For example: "The company's decision to downsize was "driven by necessity" due to the economic downturn."

What are some alternatives to "driven by necessity"?

Alternatives include "compelled by need", "dictated by circumstances", or "necessitated by events". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "motivated by necessity" or "driven by necessity"?

"Driven by necessity" emphasizes a stronger, more compelling force, suggesting less choice. "Motivated by necessity" implies a choice, albeit one heavily influenced by need. The better option depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

What is the difference between "driven by necessity" and "necessity is the mother of invention"?

"Driven by necessity" describes the reason why someone takes action or makes a decision, highlighting the lack of choice. "Necessity is the mother of invention" is a proverb that states that a difficult situation forces people to find creative solutions to their problems.