driven to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

"driven to do something" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to indicate that someone is motivated by a strong need or emotion to do something. For example, "The child was driven to succeed in school after his parents divorced."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"Everyone's driven to do something quickly," Mr. Miller said.

The New York Times

Michael Nick Nicholsls thinks photography is more interesting when you're driven to do something.

The New York Times

There are intellectual defenses we have–we think of ourselves as good people but if you were to see a dying child, you would emotionally be driven to do something, if there was something you could do, right?

Yale University

Lisa is overwhelmed with ambiguous emotion at having contributed to a disaster and then participated in a coverup, and, compulsively driven to do something, draws everyone into a whirlpool of painful and destructive confrontations.

The Guardian - Film

On the prospect of more protests by criminal barristers, following the mass walkout on 6 January, he said: "It's a shame the government has introduced proposals which have made the profession so concerned that they felt driven to do something like that.

The Guardian

Despite what publishers of this kind of genre claim, players do need to be driven to do something.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

VIRGINIA BEACH (The Borowitz Report) - Rev. Pat Robertson sparked controversy in today's broadcast of his 700 Club program when he claimed that God created the blizzard currently battering the Northeast "to punish Americans who were planning to drive to do something gay".

Huffington Post

"He has a drive to do something with his life".

The New York Times

She also had the drive to do something about it.

The Guardian - Music

I definitely had a drive to do something with my life, to help others, to make the world better.

The New York Times - Science

"It was the first time I felt the drive to do something and work at it, whether anything came of it or not".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driven to do something" when you want to emphasize a strong internal or external force compelling action, highlighting the motivating factor behind the deed.

Common error

Avoid using "driven to do something" for mild preferences or choices. This phrase is reserved for situations where the motivation is strong and compelling, not simply a matter of wanting to do something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driven to do something" functions as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe someone who is strongly motivated or compelled to act. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driven to do something" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies a strong motivation or compelling force behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as academic settings. It conveys a sense of urgency and necessity, indicating that the action is not merely a preference but a response to a powerful internal or external stimulus. When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants the intensity it implies, reserving it for situations where the motivation is genuinely strong. Alternatives such as "compelled to act" or "motivated to take action" can be used to convey similar meanings with varying degrees of emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated to take action

Highlights the presence of a clear motivation to initiate something.

impelled to commence

Highlights a strong, internal feeling that leads to the beginning of an action.

compelled to act

Emphasizes an external force or obligation leading to action.

urged to initiate

Conveys a strong encouragement to start something.

inspired to act

Focuses on the positive influence that sparks action.

prompted to respond

Indicates a reactive action due to a specific trigger.

determined to proceed

Stresses a firm decision and resolve to move forward.

disposed to intervene

Suggests a natural inclination to get involved in a situation.

resolved to undertake

Implies a formal decision to embark on a specific task.

incited to perform

Suggests a strong stimulus or provocation leading to a specific performance.

FAQs

How can I use "driven to do something" in a sentence?

Use "driven to do something" to show a strong motivation or compelling reason for action. For example, "The desire to help others "drove her to do something" about the lack of resources in her community".

What are some alternatives to "driven to do something"?

You can use alternatives such as "compelled to act", "motivated to take action", or "inspired to act", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "driven to do something" formal or informal?

"Driven to do something" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the intensity of the situation described than the setting.

What's the difference between "driven to do something" and "motivated to do something"?

"Driven to do something" implies a stronger, more intense compulsion than "motivated to do something". While motivation can be mild, being driven suggests a powerful inner force.