driving force

USAGE SUMMARY

"driving force" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to express a motivating influence or incentive; a powerful, motivating factor which encourages a determined effort and pursuit of a goal. For example: "The desire to make a positive difference in the world was the driving force behind her journey to Africa."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"And we're the driving force.

The New York Times - Sports

That's my driving force.

The New York Times - Magazine

The work was Hollander's driving force.

The New York Times - Sports

The chief driving force has been software.

The Economist

Who will have the driving force?

The New Yorker

Instead, it became the driving force.

The New York Times - Magazine

It has no driving force, no leader.

Independent

But she wasn't the driving force.

The New York Times

They craved for a driving force yesterday.

Independent

"Curiosity is our driving force," agrees Brundtland.

Independent

"And fund raising is a driving force.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "driving force" to emphasize the most significant factor causing a particular outcome or behavior. For instance, "Innovation was the driving force behind their success."

Common error

Avoid using "driving force" for minor or secondary factors. Reserve it for the principal cause; otherwise, consider terms like "contributing factor" or "influence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "driving force" functions as a noun phrase that typically identifies the primary cause, motivation, or impetus behind an action, event, or decision. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase highlights the main factor at play.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "driving force" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the primary cause or motivation behind an action, event, or decision. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's widely used in news, media, science, and formal business contexts. When using "driving force", it's important to ensure it genuinely represents the most significant factor, rather than a minor influence. Alternatives like "motivating factor" or "key impetus" may be more appropriate in some cases. Its frequent use and presence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its validity and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivating factor

Focuses more on the psychological aspect of motivation.

key impetus

Emphasizes the initial push or energy behind something.

prime mover

Highlights the entity that initiates or causes action.

mainspring

Suggests an internal mechanism that powers action.

chief catalyst

Focuses on the element that sparks a reaction or change.

core driver

Stresses the fundamental aspect that propels something forward.

central influence

Highlights the impact on decisions or actions.

root cause

Points to the fundamental origin of a problem or situation.

underlying motivation

Highlights hidden or less obvious reasons for action.

primary stimulus

Focuses on what provokes a specific response or action.

FAQs

How can I use "driving force" in a sentence?

Use "driving force" to describe the main reason or motivation behind an action or event. For example, "The desire for social change was the driving force behind the protests."

What can I say instead of "driving force"?

You can use alternatives like "motivating factor", "key impetus", or "prime mover" depending on the context.

Is "driving force" formal or informal language?

"Driving force" is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. Its suitability depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and tone.

What's the difference between "driving force" and "influencing factor"?

"Driving force" implies a primary and powerful cause, while "influencing factor" suggests a contributing but not necessarily dominant element.