driven by pride

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by pride" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone whose actions or motivations are influenced by a sense of pride or self-importance. Example: "His decision to take on the challenge was driven by pride, wanting to prove himself to his peers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Free Libya," the flags read, hoisted on cars passing customs in a gesture driven by pride as much as fear.

The New York Times

The decline accelerated as other countries, driven by pride and the allure of profits, joined the business.

The New York Times - Science

Both sides have covertly and overtly harmed each other in recent years, compounding distrust.However, mutual suspicion is also driven by pride, ignorance, historical grievances and partisan self-interest.

The Economist

Driven by pride and doctrine, a number of die-hard conservatives among them high dignitaries such as Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki, Seweryn Rzewuski, and Ksawery Branicki formed the Confederation of Targowica (in St . Petersburg to overthrow the May constitution.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As a player, Jordan was driven by pride, passion for the game and a desire to seek revenge against anyone — in reality or in his mind — who had offended him.

The New York Times - Sports

But whereas Ranbaxy states its aspirations in financial terms—$5 billion in revenues by 2012 Dr Reddy's seems more driven by pride: to take an innovative product of its own to market.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They were driven by curiosity, pride and obstinacy.

The New York Times

But these were decisions driven by national pride.

The New York Times

Officials consider a viable project as a source of energy and jobs, but the wind wars are also driven by state pride.

The New York Times - Science

Even as Florentine scholars made significant advances in Etruscan studies, their historical project was driven by civic pride, local mythmaking, and cultural politics.

Harvard University

He is equally outspoken about rap pioneers who do little but rest on faded glories and about current ones who have no lyrical prowess but make millions as little more than shills driven by false pride and money.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify the object of pride. Instead of stating someone is "driven by pride", clarify what they are proud of, such as "driven by pride in their heritage".

Common error

Avoid repeatedly using "driven by pride" to describe similar actions. Vary your language by using alternatives like "motivated by ambition" or "fueled by a desire for recognition" to keep your writing engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by pride" acts as a modifier, specifically an adjectival phrase, describing the force or motivation behind someone's actions or decisions. Ludwig confirms this through its analysis of numerous examples, showing it is used to attribute a cause.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by pride" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to describe the motivation behind actions, as Ludwig AI confirms. While "driven by pride" is not exceptionally common, it appears across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias and science, denoting either positive self-respect or negative arrogance. When employing the phrase, ensure to specify the object of pride to avoid misinterpretation, and don't overuse it in similar contexts to maintain writing quality. Related alternatives include "motivated by ego" and "fueled by ambition", each carrying slightly different nuances. Overall, "driven by pride" is an appropriate tool to express reasons and causes behind actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fueled by ego

Substitutes "pride" with "ego", highlighting self-importance and a need for validation as the driving force.

inspired by self-admiration

Substitutes "pride" with "self-admiration", highlighting the admiration of one's qualities.

motivated by vanity

Replaces "pride" with "vanity", emphasizing excessive self-admiration as the primary motivator.

actuated by self-importance

Replaces the original phrase with a more formal and descriptive term, emphasizing the role of self-importance in motivation.

guided by conceit

Substitutes "pride" with "conceit", which underlines the state of excessively proud of oneself.

motivated by vainglory

Replaces "pride" with "vainglory" to underline the excessive vanity and boastful self-praise.

impelled by hubris

Replaces "pride" with "hubris", indicating an excessive level of self-confidence and arrogance that motivates actions.

prompted by inflated self-worth

Replaces "pride" with the longer expression of inflated self-worth

led by a feeling of entitlement

Replaces "pride" with "a feeling of entitlement" which puts an emphasis on the firm and unshakable conviction to have a special right or privilege.

influenced by a sense of superiority

Breaks down "pride" into a more descriptive phrase that shows the agent's conviction to be superior.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by pride" to describe someone whose actions are motivated by a strong sense of self-respect or accomplishment. For instance, "His determination to succeed was "driven by pride" in his family's legacy."

What are some alternatives to "driven by pride"?

Alternatives include "motivated by ego", "fueled by ambition", or "inspired by self-respect". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. For example, "motivated by ego" suggests a more self-centered motivation.

Is it always negative to be "driven by pride"?

Not necessarily. While pride can sometimes lead to arrogance or poor decisions, it can also be a positive force, motivating individuals to achieve great things and uphold high standards. The connotation depends on the specific context and the actions that result from the pride.

What is the difference between "driven by pride" and "driven by ambition"?

"Driven by pride" suggests a motivation stemming from self-respect or a desire to uphold one's reputation, while "driven by ambition" implies a motivation stemming from a strong desire for success or achievement. Someone "driven by ambition" might prioritize external recognition, whereas someone driven by pride might prioritize internal feelings of self-worth.