driven by suspicion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by suspicion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe actions or motivations that are influenced or motivated by a sense of doubt or mistrust. Example: "Her decision to investigate further was driven by suspicion that something was amiss."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Much of this is driven by suspicion of Mr Obama.

The Economist

The public and the private constitute two entirely different realms of life, one driven by suspicion, the other informed by love.

The New York Times - Magazine

Driven by suspicion of the Nixon administration's propaganda, Fonda set out with her own camera on a 14-day tour of Vietnam to bear witness to the hushed-up US bombings of the country's dykes.

The Guardian

Even Mr. Mbeki's foot-dragging on AIDS -- the act that has caused the most damage to both his domestic and global credibility -- appears partly driven by suspicion of racism.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, the effort to keep public funds out of "sectarian" schools was largely driven by Protestant suspicion of Rome.

The New York Times - Magazine

The demand for the C.I.A. to acknowledge the number of contractors in Pakistan was driven by the suspicion that the American spy service had slipped many such secret operatives into Pakistan in the past six months, the senior ISI official said.

The New York Times

The ANA interpretation must thus be driven by clinical suspicion, but their interpretation also depends on both titer and pattern.

Autoimmunity Highlights

Sociologists' biases against theories of social cohesion are thus also at times driven by a suspicion that calls for national or broad-based solidarity are articulated by elites or powerful actors to convince ordinary people to go to war, support a particular interest, or overlook their lived inequalities for some greater good.

Comparative Migration Studies

Driven by the suspicion that the federal government was unwilling to protect the property rights of African Americans, the Black Panthers taught new recruits that "the gun is the only thing that will free us gain us our liberation".

Vice

Our sample was based on a log of antibiotic prescriptions driven by clinical suspicion of a UTI.

BMC Geriatrics

a For sickle cell, malaria and HIV tests, because the investigations were driven by clinical suspicion, the denominator for the % calculations remained the total number in each category.

BMC Infectious Diseases

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "driven by suspicion", ensure the context clearly establishes the object or target of the suspicion. Be specific about what is causing the doubt or mistrust.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by suspicion" in vague contexts. Always clarify what the suspicion pertains to in order to maintain clarity and avoid misinterpretations. For example, instead of saying "The project failed because it was driven by suspicion", specify "The project failed because it was driven by suspicion that team members were withholding information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by suspicion" functions as an adjectival phrase. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing something (like an action, decision, or investigation) as being motivated or influenced by a feeling of doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by suspicion" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions or motivations rooted in doubt or mistrust. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Though relatively rare, it appears in both News & Media and Science contexts, indicating a neutral register. When employing this phrase, be sure to clearly specify the target of the suspicion to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "motivated by mistrust" or "fueled by distrust" can provide nuanced alternatives, and understanding their subtle differences can help refine your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by mistrust

Focuses on the underlying feeling of mistrust as the driving force.

fueled by distrust

Emphasizes the intensity of distrust as a motivating factor.

prompted by skepticism

Highlights a questioning attitude leading to action.

compelled by doubt

Implies a strong feeling of uncertainty pushing someone to act.

inspired by cynicism

Suggests a negative outlook influencing actions.

led by wariness

Focuses on a cautious approach due to potential danger or deception.

governed by incredulity

Indicates a state of disbelief guiding behavior.

actuated by apprehensiveness

Emphasizes anxiety or fear as a motivator.

triggered by misgivings

Highlights internal doubts or reservations causing action.

moved by doubt

Shows that actions are influenced by feelings of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by suspicion" to describe actions or decisions motivated by a feeling of doubt or mistrust. For example, "The investigation was "driven by suspicion" of fraud."

What are some alternatives to "driven by suspicion"?

Alternatives include "motivated by mistrust", "fueled by distrust", or "prompted by skepticism". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "driven by suspicion" and "driven by fear"?

"Driven by suspicion" implies a lack of trust or belief in someone or something, while "driven by fear" indicates actions motivated by anxiety or apprehension. Suspicion focuses on doubt; fear focuses on potential harm.

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

Not necessarily. While suspicion often has negative connotations, it can also be a catalyst for uncovering wrongdoing or preventing negative outcomes. The impact depends on how the suspicion is acted upon.