merely driven by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely driven by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is motivated or influenced solely by a specific factor, often implying a lack of complexity or depth. Example: "The decision was merely driven by financial considerations, without regard for the long-term impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

In Toynbee Hall, east London's temple of the big society, David Cameron yesterday explained that his welfare reforms were not merely driven by money but by the same moral convictions that inspired Beveridge.

The Guardian - Opinion

In order to rule out that the group-differences in the labour market transitions are merely driven by individual characteristics, such as sex, age, social background, cognitive competences and work experiences or by specific context conditions at the time of the transition, we run multivariate Cox-regressions with corresponding controls.

Empirical Research in Vocational Education and Training

The decision to formally begin the Obama endorsement process, however, was not merely driven by field of unappealing Republican options.

Huffington Post

Release into DD for one week failed to eliminate regional phase differences, which indicates that phase heterogeneity within the SCN is not merely driven by light.

Plosone

As with the SEF, these were useful in determining the likelihood that any effects reported were merely driven by attention, as they represent well documented components of attentional networks [62] [64].

Plosone

To investigate whether regional phase differences are merely driven by light input, a separate group of animals was transferred from LD 12∶12 to constant darkness (DD) for one week (Figure 3).

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Previously, the crews merely drove by the manholes to check for vapor.

The New York Times

When any of these groups become cheap, they bounce back and outperform and are not content merely to catch up to the reigning favorites but, driven by momentum, move to overly lofty levels for a while.

Forbes

There is some ambiguity as to whether Rose is disturbed or merely driven over the edge by her husband's betrayal.

Huffington Post

But sometimes, his inventions were merely bizarre, driven by some opaque, unknown part of his brain.

The New York Times - Books

He's merely amused, driven by adrenaline and the feeling that he is surrounded by life.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "merely driven by", ensure that the context accurately reflects a simplified or singular motivation to avoid oversimplifying complex scenarios. This phrase works best when you want to emphasize the lack of additional influencing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "merely driven by" when multiple factors are at play. Overusing this phrase can diminish the significance of secondary influences and present an incomplete picture, potentially misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely driven by" functions as a qualifier, indicating that an action, decision, or phenomenon is motivated or influenced by a single, often simplistic, factor. Ludwig AI validates this, providing numerous examples across different domains. It serves to limit or downplay other potential influences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "merely driven by" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to highlight that something is motivated by a single, often simple, factor. Ludwig AI confirms its validity through numerous examples. While it's commonly found in scientific, news, and formal contexts, it's essential to ensure its usage accurately reflects the situation, avoiding oversimplification or neglecting other potentially significant influences. Alternative phrases like "solely motivated by" or "simply influenced by" may offer more neutral or nuanced ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely motivated by

Emphasizes that the motivation comes from one source only, excluding any other influences.

simply influenced by

Suggests a basic or uncomplicated influence, downplaying any complex factors.

exclusively determined by

Indicates that the outcome is controlled by only one element, leaving no room for alternatives.

primarily caused by

Highlights the main reason or origin of something, setting aside secondary factors.

largely influenced by

Shows that a significant part is impacted by something, even if other aspects could be involved.

mainly prompted by

The cause is the principal incentive, while other possible factors are secondary or insignificant.

purely based on

Indicates that a decision or conclusion relies entirely on a specific basis or factor.

only actuated by

Emphasizes that the action is started by a singular factor and that no other factors are triggering it.

singularly spurred by

Highlights that the thing is stimulated or encouraged only by one factor.

chiefly instigated by

Suggests a main or leading cause that starts or sets something in motion.

FAQs

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

Use "merely driven by" to indicate that a decision or action is motivated primarily, and perhaps simplistically, by a single factor. For example, "The project's success was "merely driven by" budget constraints, overlooking other important considerations."

What are some alternatives to "merely driven by"?

You can use alternatives like "solely motivated by", "simply influenced by", or "exclusively determined by" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "only driven by" instead of "merely driven by"?

Yes, "only driven by" is a valid alternative. Both phrases suggest a singular motivation, but "merely" often implies a sense of simplification or potential oversight, whereas "only" is a more neutral statement of fact.

What is the difference between "driven by" and "merely driven by"?

"Driven by" indicates motivation or influence in general. Adding "merely" emphasizes that the motivation is simple or limited to a single factor, potentially discounting other complexities or considerations. The addition of "merely" can also imply a critical perspective, suggesting that the single motivation might be insufficient.