was guided by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was guided by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something influenced or directed actions or decisions in the past. Example: "The project was guided by the principles of sustainability and innovation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was guided by practicality and functionality.

The New Yorker

Perhaps I was guided by my own inner fears.

The New York Times

Much of this movement was guided by economic calculation.

The Economist

(South was guided by the principle of restricted choice.

The New York Times

IN years past, retirement was guided by simple arithmetic.

The New York Times

Daniel was guided by a sense of fairness and equality.

The New York Times

He said he was guided by principle, not politics.

The New York Times

All its work was guided by its partners, it insisted.

Independent

If Mr. Reagan was guided by fixed principles, he was far from inflexible.

The New York Times

Mr. Reagan was a consummate pragmatist, but he was guided by fixed views.

The New York Times

In a very complex world, she was guided by simple axioms and values".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was guided by", ensure that the subject clearly identifies the entity or principle that provided the guidance. This enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was guided by" when the influence is indirect or weak. Ensure that the subject genuinely received direction from the entity mentioned, rather than merely being affected by it. Otherwise, alternatives like "was influenced by" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was guided by" functions as a passive voice construction indicating that a subject received direction or influence from a specific source. Ludwig AI showcases examples where this phrase connects an action or decision to an underlying principle or factor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was guided by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate influence or direction in a passive context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common across varied categories, but more frequent in scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure the guiding entity is clearly identified. If the influence is less direct, consider alternatives like "was influenced by". This guidance should assist in effectively incorporating "was guided by" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was influenced by

Indicates a more general impact or effect, rather than specific direction.

was directed by

Suggests a more authoritative or controlled form of guidance.

was informed by

Emphasizes the role of knowledge or information in shaping a decision.

was driven by

Highlights the motivational forces behind an action or decision.

was shaped by

Focuses on the formative influence on something's development.

was determined by

Indicates that something was definitively decided or caused by something else.

was predicated on

Suggests that something was based or founded on a particular assumption or condition.

was governed by

Implies that something was controlled or regulated by specific rules or principles.

was inspired by

Emphasizes the role of creative influence or motivation.

was controlled by

Suggests a more forceful or restrictive form of guidance.

FAQs

How can I use "was guided by" in a sentence?

Use "was guided by" to indicate that a decision, action, or process was influenced or directed by a particular principle, person, or idea. For example, "The research "was guided by" ethical considerations."

What are some alternatives to "was guided by"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "was influenced by", "was directed by", or "was informed by".

Is it better to use "was guided by" or "was influenced by"?

The choice depends on the specific context. "Was guided by" suggests a more direct and intentional form of direction, while "was influenced by" implies a more general effect.

What's the difference between "was guided by" and "was determined by"?

"Was guided by" implies direction or influence, whereas "was determined by" suggests that something was definitively caused or decided by a particular factor.