driven by vanity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "driven by vanity" is correct and it is usable in written English.
You can use the phrase when you want to talk about someone who is overly concerned with their physical appearance and material possessions. For example, "He was so driven by vanity that he was constantly buying the latest designer clothes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But the Mars team bristles at the suggestion that the mission is one driven by vanity.

The Guardian

Driven by vanity and corrupted by power, they scheme with and against each other in secret until wars result.

Princeton University

But the Master is also a charlatan and a tyrant, driven by vanity and paranoia as much as by any rational ambition.

The New York Times

The chase and the subsequent trial have been as much about a baseball era driven by vanity and greed, and fueled by performance-enhancing drugs.

The New York Times

Their ventures were driven by vanity, political dogma, vested interests, lust for power and, most shocking, perhaps, honest assessments of the welfare of the nation and the world.

The New York Times - Books

Yet grant that her oeuvre is an act of massive makeover, driven by vanity; it is impressive nonetheless, and an addition to literature.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Otherwise, driven by diseased vanity, the Marquess made every possible error.

The Guardian - Books

It requires sustained, strategic, informed diplomacy which appreciates incremental achievements, rather than showpiece events and bombastic announcements driven by whim, vanity, hawkish advisers and, at times, surely, the desire to distract from Robert Mueller's investigation.

The Guardian - Opinion

I have come to realize he was driven not by vanity or selfishness as much as by a deep pain.

The New York Times

In the 2000 election, in a campaign that seemed driven more by vanity than by any realistic political vision, Ralph Nader did all he could to undermine Al Gore -- even though Mr. Gore, however unsatisfying to the Naderites, was clearly a better choice than the current occupant of the White House.

The New York Times

The Trump team's response to the Clifford debacle seems to have been driven by the President's vanity, temper, and resentment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven by vanity" to critique or analyze characters or situations where superficial concerns heavily influence behavior. This phrase is effective for highlighting shallowness or misplaced priorities.

Common error

Avoid using "driven by vanity" when the motivation is merely self-interest or ambition. Vanity specifically relates to an excessive concern with one's own appearance or achievements and the desire for admiration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven by vanity" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating the underlying motivation behind someone's actions or decisions. It is used to attribute behaviors to an excessive concern with appearance or self-image. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "driven by vanity" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes actions motivated by excessive concern for appearance, status, or self-admiration. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests it's suitable for critiquing or analyzing behavior rooted in superficiality. While not extremely common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and academia. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly supports the attribution of vanity as the primary motivator and be aware of its subtly negative connotation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by ego

Replaces "vanity" with "ego", focusing on the self-centered motivation.

fueled by narcissism

Substitutes "vanity" with "narcissism", emphasizing a deeper level of self-admiration.

prompted by conceit

Uses "conceit" instead of "vanity", highlighting an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

actuated by pride

Replaces "vanity" with "pride", focusing on the gratification derived from one's achievements.

influenced by self-image

Shifts the focus to how one's perception of themselves affects their actions.

led by superficiality

Emphasizes the lack of depth behind the motivating factor.

powered by self-importance

Highlights the belief in one's own significance as the driving force.

determined by outward appearance

Focuses on the external aspect as the primary motivator.

guided by a need for admiration

Highlights the desire for others' approval as the guiding principle.

governed by pretension

Suggests that actions are controlled by an attempt to impress others falsely.

FAQs

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

You can use "driven by vanity" to describe someone whose actions are primarily motivated by a desire to appear attractive or important. For example, "His lavish spending was driven by vanity, not necessity."

What's the difference between "driven by vanity" and "driven by pride"?

"Driven by vanity" suggests a motivation rooted in a desire for admiration and a focus on appearance or status, whereas "driven by pride" implies a motivation stemming from a sense of accomplishment or self-worth. Pride may be related to an achievement but vanity is not.

What are some synonyms for "driven by vanity"?

Alternatives to "driven by vanity" include "motivated by ego", "fueled by narcissism", or "prompted by conceit". These phrases also suggest actions motivated by an inflated sense of self.

Is it appropriate to use "driven by vanity" in formal writing?

Yes, "driven by vanity" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly when analyzing characters, behaviors, or societal trends. However, ensure the context warrants such a critical or analytical tone.