powerful driving force

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "powerful driving force" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a strong influence or motivation behind an action, event, or phenomenon. Example: "The desire for innovation is a powerful driving force behind the company's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

Another powerful driving force is nostalgia, especially for childhood innocence.

The Guardian - Music

Lewis Rice Jr., the special agent in charge of the D.E.A.'s New York division, said there is one powerful, driving force behind the stunning growth in the drug's popularity: profit.

The New York Times

They will be found in models that bring back the joy of healthcare to professionals who deliver it – physicians such as me and countless others who seem to have lost the single most powerful driving force – purpose.

The Guardian - Opinion

We found stronger expression of TGFβ1, the most powerful driving force for EMT, in and around the fibrotic lesions of CD patients than in non-IBD control patients.

Clinical and Translational Medicine

The balance between cost and benefit is a powerful driving force underlying decision-making in animal societies.

Plosone

Gene duplication is a powerful driving force of neo- and subfunctionalization during plant evolution [ 54].

BMC Plant Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

They all said the prospect of their children's education and employment was one of the most powerful driving forces behind their decision to move to the UK.

The Economist

In today's rapidly changing marketplace, product demand is one of the most powerful driving forces behind design, thus rendering product conceptualization full of challenges.

Robotics and Computer-Integrated Manufacturing

Thinking about the future of foreign relations and foreign policies must take account of at least two powerful driving forces.

European Journal of Futures Research

Our highest ranked motivator was achievements, implying that work meaningfulness, appreciation and respect were regarded as powerful driving forces and were ranked higher than securing hygiene factors such as salary, social belongingness and work collegiality.

BMC Health Services Research

What we seldom find is powerful feeling as a driving force.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "powerful driving force" to emphasize a particularly strong influence or motivation behind an event or action. It is effective when you want to highlight the intensity of the factor driving the outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "powerful driving force" to describe minor or insignificant influences. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic. Reserve it for situations where the force truly warrants such strong language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "powerful driving force" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies a significant factor that instigates or propels a particular action or outcome, as evidenced in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

60%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "powerful driving force" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a strong influence or motivation behind an action, event, or phenomenon. According to Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, most notably in Science and News & Media. While alternatives like ""strong impetus"" or ""major catalyst"" exist, "powerful driving force" is particularly effective when the situation truly warrants strong language. Remember to avoid overuse in weaker contexts to maintain its impact. The phrase's authoritative presence in sources such as The New York Times, The Guardian and The Economist underscores its credibility and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strong impetus

Replaces 'driving force' with 'impetus', indicating the initial force or impulse.

major catalyst

Substitutes the whole phrase, suggesting something that triggers or accelerates a process.

significant motivator

Focuses on the motivational aspect, using 'motivator' instead of 'driving force'.

key influence

Highlights the influential aspect, simplifying the phrase.

primary impetus

Replaces 'driving' with 'primary' to emphasize the main initiating factor.

dominant influence

Emphasizes the dominance of the influence, rather than the driving aspect.

chief motivating factor

Uses 'motivating factor' instead of 'driving force', stressing the reason behind actions.

mainspring

This is a single word replacement, suggesting the essential motivating element.

prime mover

Replaces the entire phrase with a term indicating the principal agent or cause.

central tenet

Shifts the focus to a core belief or principle that drives action.

FAQs

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

You can use "powerful driving force" to emphasize a strong influence or motivation behind an action or event. For instance, "The desire for innovation is a powerful driving force behind the company's success."

What are some alternatives to "powerful driving force"?

Alternatives include "strong impetus", "major catalyst", or "significant motivator", depending on the specific context.

Is "powerful driving force" too strong for everyday use?

While generally appropriate, consider the context. If the influence is only moderate, a less emphatic phrase like "key influence" might be more suitable.

What makes "powerful driving force" effective in writing?

Its effectiveness lies in its ability to convey the intensity of a particular influence or motivation. It immediately signals that the factor being described is a significant determinant of the outcome.