it was driven by

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was driven by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in various contexts to describe the cause or motivation behind an action or event. Example: The company's success was driven by its innovative approach to problem-solving.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

It was driven by his young son.

The New Yorker

It was driven by a robot.

The New York Times

It was driven by material corporate cutbacks.

The New York Times

It was driven by the very high demand from China.

Yale University

"Invariably it was driven by hyperactivity," he said.

The Guardian

They might make us chuckle today, but it was driven by a desire to know.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In the end, it was driven by drug makers and their thirst for profits.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was driven by outlandish folk, singing strange songs: dwarves with long beards and deep hoods.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

"But under its antics it is driven by genuine emotions.

The New York Times - Arts

At its worst it's driven by one's ego.

Huffington Post

"It's driven by a news edge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was driven by" to clearly indicate the primary factor influencing an event or decision. Ensure the sentence structure is clear, so the reader understands what 'it' refers to and what is driving it. For example, "The project's success was driven by the team's dedication" is more effective than simply saying, "It was driven by dedication".

Common error

Avoid using "it was driven by" when the 'it' is unclear or ambiguous. Always ensure that the subject the pronoun refers to is clearly defined in the context; otherwise, the sentence becomes confusing. Reword the sentence to clarify the subject or replace 'it' with the appropriate noun or noun phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was driven by" functions as a causal connector, indicating the primary influence or motivation behind an action, event, or decision. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. Examples from Ludwig show its usage in attributing causes across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it was driven by" is a common and grammatically sound causal connector used to highlight the primary cause or motivation behind an event or decision. According to Ludwig, the phrase is considered grammatically correct. It is versatile and suitable for various contexts, most commonly found in news reporting, academic discourse, and scientific explanations. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, ensure clarity by explicitly defining the antecedent of "it" to avoid any ambiguity. For alternatives, consider options like "it was caused by" or "it stemmed from" to subtly adjust the emphasis on causality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was caused by

Directly states that something resulted from a specific cause.

it resulted from

Emphasizes the outcome as a consequence of a preceding factor.

it was motivated by

Highlights the underlying reasons or desires that prompted an action or event.

it was prompted by

Indicates that something was initiated or triggered by a particular event or influence.

it was fueled by

Suggests that something was given energy or impetus by a particular factor.

it stemmed from

Indicates the origin or cause of something, similar to being driven by something.

it was influenced by

Highlights the impact of something on a particular factor, but it's less forceful than 'driven'.

it originated in

Focuses on the place or time something began, implying a starting cause.

the impetus behind it was

Focuses on the initial force or motivation that initiated something.

the reason for it was

Directly states the cause or explanation for something.

FAQs

How can I use "it was driven by" in a sentence?

Use "it was driven by" to explain the cause or primary influence behind a specific action, decision, or result. For example, "The company's growth "it was driven by" its aggressive marketing strategy" indicates that the marketing strategy was the main reason for the company's growth.

What are some alternatives to "it was driven by"?

You can use alternatives like "it was caused by", "it stemmed from", or "it was fueled by" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different way of expressing the causal relationship.

Is it more formal to say "it was driven by" or "it was caused by"?

"It was driven by" and "it was caused by" are generally similar in formality. However, ""it was driven by"" might imply a stronger, more intentional influence than "it was caused by", which is a more neutral expression of causality.

When should I avoid using the phrase "it was driven by"?

Avoid using ""it was driven by"" when the antecedent of "it" is unclear or ambiguous. Always make sure the subject is clearly defined to prevent confusion. Additionally, if the cause is very subtle or indirect, a weaker phrase like "it was influenced by" might be more appropriate.