driven by profit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by profit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions, decisions, or behaviors that are motivated primarily by the desire to make money. Example: "The company's policies are often driven by profit, leading to decisions that prioritize financial gain over employee welfare."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Capitalism is driven by profit.

The Guardian

Needless to say, not all science should be, or can be, driven by profit.

The Economist

Live was responsible for Dr. Murray and portrayed the company as ruthlessly driven by profit.

The New York Times

He added that these glowing reviews debunked accusations that he was driven by profit.

The New York Times

Many agencies are driven by profit, and work to meet the demands of the volunteer rather than the charity.

The Guardian

Mr. Astakhov, the children's rights commissioner, on Tuesday reiterated his criticism that international adoptions are overly driven by profit motives.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

At issue is whether the agency's independent analysis was driven by profits.

The New York Times

The Guardian appealed to him because it is owned by a trust that is not driven by profits and it has a "moral agenda," Davies says.

The New Yorker

Unlike Amazon and Google, Apple is driven by profits from hardware sales, not content, so Mr. Wu said he expected the iPad Mini to generate solid margins.

The New York Times - Tech

But banks are still driven by profits, and concerns remain that financial firms are making risky bets under the guise of more mundane activities.

The New York Times

The new media format is also raising some concerns among journalists who worry that the quality of newspapers will suffer in a world driven by profits and entertainment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by profit", ensure it's clear what entity or action is being motivated by financial gain. Be specific to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify that "the company's expansion strategy is driven by profit."

Common error

Avoid using "driven by profit" as a blanket statement without supporting evidence or context. Instead of saying "the industry is driven by profit", provide specific examples of how profit motives influence industry practices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by profit" acts as a modifier, specifically a postpositive adjective phrase. It describes the underlying motivation or cause behind an action, decision, or system. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. The examples show it modifying various nouns, such as 'capitalism', 'cultural production', and 'decisions'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven by profit" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe actions or decisions motivated primarily by financial gain. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Found most frequently in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts, the phrase serves to explain the underlying economic motivations in various scenarios. While the term can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying a focus on financial gain at the expense of ethics, it often serves as a neutral descriptor. Related phrases include "motivated by profit" and "fueled by profit". When using this phrase, specify what is being motivated by profit to avoid vagueness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by profit

Replaces "driven" with "motivated", emphasizing the underlying incentive.

fueled by profit

Substitutes "driven" with "fueled", suggesting a source of energy or impetus.

incentivized by profit

Replaces "driven" with "incentivized", focusing on external rewards.

guided by profit

Emphasizes the directional aspect of profit in decision-making.

led by profit

Similar to 'guided by profit' but suggests a more direct influence.

dictated by profit

Suggests a more forceful and uncompromising influence of profit.

propelled by profit

Similar to 'fueled by profit' with a slightly different nuance of movement.

actuated by profit

A more formal and less common alternative to "driven by profit".

predicated on profit

Highlights the foundational importance of profit for something.

oriented towards profit

Focuses on the directional aspect, highlighting a focus on financial gain.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by profit" to describe actions, decisions, or strategies that are primarily motivated by the desire to make money. For example, "The company's policies are often "driven by profit", leading to decisions that prioritize financial gain over employee welfare."

What are some alternatives to "driven by profit"?

Alternatives include "motivated by profit", "fueled by profit", or "incentivized by profit", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to say something is "driven by profit"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply a prioritization of financial gain over ethical considerations, it can also be a neutral observation about the economic forces at play. The context determines the connotation.

What's the difference between "driven by profit" and "driven by greed"?

"Driven by profit" generally describes a standard business objective, while "driven by greed" suggests an excessive and unethical pursuit of wealth, often at the expense of others.