driven by principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by principles" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that are motivated by a set of ethical or moral standards. Example: "Her leadership style is driven by principles, ensuring that every decision aligns with the company's core values."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It's a nice soundbite, although of course you can be driven by principles and chauffeurs.

The Guardian

We want a party led by people driven by principles and not by chauffeurs".

The Guardian

Social workers are trained to consider the person and their needs in the whole, and assessment models are driven by principles of self-determination, dignity and respect.

The Guardian

Your article reports that Ms. Piven views Mr. Moynihan's political life as an impediment to sound research, but let's consider the alternative: political agendas not driven by principles but by polling results.

The New York Times

Thus, according to Jacobi, syllogistic thinking is mechanistic in nature, being driven by principles ab ante no less than any corporeal sequence of events.

SEP

Animals are driven by principles similar to (or identical to) those that give rise to human actions: they share many of our passions and they too are driven by self-interest.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The worrying thought is that they might not be that in being driven by principle, our principled person will distort the relevance of relevant features by insisting on filtering them through principles, in a way that is at odds with the falsehood of generalism.

SEP

"Her situation is remarkably similar, she is one of those extraordinary people driven by principle who are determined to bring about change peacefully".

The Guardian

In response, Mr. Bush is painting himself as a profile in courage, a man driven by principle to force a huge tax break down the electorate's throat.

The New York Times

Woodford has said that he was driven by principle and the desire to expose what happened in an effort to "make us all safer".

Independent

– Representative Howard Berman of California: The chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Berman's endorsement seems well timed given the furor over President Bush's comments in Israel today: Barack Obama has laid out a foreign policy vision driven by principle and conviction, and he understands that our moral authority and our safety as a nation go hand in hand.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven by principles" to convey that decisions or actions are ethically and morally sound. It adds credibility and demonstrates a commitment to values.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by principles" in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler phrases like "guided by values" or "motivated by ethics" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by principles" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It typically describes the underlying motivation or cause behind someone's actions or decisions. As noted by Ludwig AI, it suggests a strong influence of ethics or moral standards.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "driven by principles" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe actions or decisions motivated by strong ethical or moral values. While versatile, it appears more frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability. When using this phrase, consider whether alternatives like "guided by ethics" or "motivated by values" might offer better nuance. Finally, be mindful of the register, as simpler language may be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guided by ethics

This alternative emphasizes the ethical framework influencing decisions, differing slightly from the broader concept of "principles".

motivated by values

This phrase highlights the role of values as the primary motivator, shifting focus from the guiding aspect of "principles".

led by ideals

This alternative focuses on the role of ideals, presenting a more aspirational tone compared to "principles".

informed by beliefs

This suggests that beliefs provide a foundation for decisions, differing from the more active sense of being "driven".

anchored in convictions

This alternative presents a sense of stability and strong beliefs as the basis for action.

rooted in morality

This emphasizes the moral foundation influencing actions, narrowing the focus to moral principles.

actuated by conscience

This suggests that actions are prompted by one's internal moral compass or sense of right and wrong.

based on tenets

This alternative highlights the foundation of action being a set of core tenets or doctrines.

directed by standards

This highlights the guiding role of certain standards and practices on making decisions and taking actions.

governed by precepts

This suggests a strict adherence to a set of rules or principles.

FAQs

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

Use "driven by principles" to describe a person, organization, or decision-making process that is guided by a strong set of values. For example: "The company's success is attributed to its leader being "driven by principles"".

What's the difference between "driven by principles" and "guided by values"?

"Driven by principles" emphasizes that actions are directly caused by those principles, while "guided by values" suggests a more directional influence. The former implies a stronger causal relationship.

What are some alternatives to "driven by principles"?

You can use alternatives like "guided by ethics", "motivated by values", or "led by ideals", depending on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "driven by principle" or "driven by principles"?

While "driven by principle" is grammatically correct, ""driven by principles"" is more commonly used. It suggests that decisions are influenced by a range of values and moral codes rather than a singular idea.