prime driver

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prime driver" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main factor or force behind a particular outcome or situation. Example: "The prime driver of our success this quarter has been our innovative marketing strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Housing prices have become a prime driver of inequality.

The Guardian - Opinion

We found that adaptability to water depth may be a prime driver of reduced remediation capacity.

Journal of Hydro-environment Research

In fact, environmental change caused by humans and their urbanized landscapes is a prime driver of modern natural selection.

University of California, Berkeley

It's time the City was recognised as a prime driver of inflation.

The Guardian

The inter-governmental Council of Ministers and European Council now the EU's prime driver of policy thus represented the people.

The Economist

Emphasis is placed upon protein detection methodologies, especially antibody-based approaches, as this has been a prime driver of many molecular biomarker studies.

Comprehensive Medicinal Chemistry II

A corruption scandal in 2005 toppled Shanghai's powerful party boss, Chen Liangyu, a prime driver of the Expo.

The New York Times

Analysis shows that below-market financing is a prime driver of the rapid rise in higher education prices.

The New York Times

In the BBC Trust's consultation Ukip was raised as a prime driver of the re-evaluation of criteria.

The Guardian

They believe that interfering with their pay is unjustified, given that the sector was not the prime driver of the financial crisis, and did not receive taxpayer bailouts.

The New York Times

But Woods, now pushing 40, remains the global focal point: back at No. 1 in the world rankings and still the prime driver of interest and ratings.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prime driver", ensure that you can substantiate the claim with evidence. Qualify it if other factors also play a significant role to avoid oversimplification.

Common error

Avoid presenting "prime driver" as the only cause, especially in complex scenarios. Acknowledge contributing factors for a more nuanced and credible analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prime driver" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the main cause or influencing factor behind a particular phenomenon or outcome. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is frequently used in various contexts to highlight the primary reason for an event or trend.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

29%

Academia

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prime driver" is a commonly used and grammatically sound term that signifies the main cause or influencing factor behind a specific event or trend. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is prevalent across various authoritative sources, including news media, scientific publications, and academic writings. While there are several alternative phrases such as "main impetus" and "key factor", it's important to acknowledge the potential for overstating causation and to recognize the presence of other contributing factors. To effectively use "prime driver", provide substantiating evidence and avoid presenting it as the sole cause. Finally, the phrase maintains a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for diverse analytical and informational contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main impetus

Changes the wording while maintaining the core meaning of a leading cause.

key factor

Replaces 'driver' with 'factor', focusing on importance.

chief cause

Substitutes 'prime' with 'chief' and 'driver' with 'cause', emphasizing the primary reason.

driving force

Emphasizes the active and influential nature of the cause.

principal reason

Replaces 'driver' with 'reason', highlighting the rationale behind something.

central element

Focuses on the element that is most important.

primary influence

Highlights the power to affect something.

leading contributor

Highlights the contribution to a certain effect.

major determinant

Focuses on the aspect of making a final decision or result.

root cause

Implies identifying the fundamental or underlying reason.

FAQs

How can I use "prime driver" in a sentence?

Use "prime driver" to indicate the main cause or influence behind a specific phenomenon. For example, "Technological innovation is the "prime driver" of economic growth".

What are some alternatives to "prime driver"?

You can use alternatives like "main impetus", "key factor", or "chief cause" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "primary driver" instead of "prime driver"?

Yes, "primary driver" is a valid and often interchangeable alternative to "prime driver". Both phrases convey the meaning of the main influencing factor.

What is the difference between "prime driver" and "driving force"?

"Prime driver" emphasizes the primary cause, while "driving force" highlights the active power or influence that propels something forward. The phrases are closely related but have subtly different connotations.