we were driven

USAGE SUMMARY

'we were driven' is a correct and usable sentence in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a situation where you and someone else were taken somewhere in a car, for example: "We were driven to the airport by my uncle."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Afterwards, we were driven home.

The Guardian

For the next three days we were driven from "attraction" to "attraction" with totalitarian efficiency.

The Guardian - Travel

But we were driven by something very good that we also did not understand.

The New York Times

Instead, we were driven to Wahdat, a Palestinian refugee camp near Amman.

The New York Times - Magazine

We were trained on Panzer III and Panzer IV tanks, and we were driven like slaves.

The New Yorker

We were driven on by what happened last year when we twice came up short.

The Guardian - Sport

We were driven out of London to a hangar – Twickenham Studios, it turned out.

The Guardian - Arts

Anxiety turned to anticipation when we were driven to a military base.

The New York Times

The neighborhood got so nice that eventually we were driven out, too.

The New York Times - Magazine

We used to skate, shoot, dry-ski, and then we were driven back home.

Independent

The fact that we were driven to industrial action was a key marker that things are not looking good.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were driven", ensure the context clarifies whether it refers to transportation or motivation.

Common error

Avoid using "we were driven" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "we were driven by the data", consider "the data drove us" for a more impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were driven" primarily functions as a passive construction. This means the subject 'we' receives the action rather than performing it. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use in both transportation and motivational contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "we were driven" is a versatile phrase primarily used to indicate passive action, where an external force caused a group to either be transported or to act in a certain way. As Ludwig AI explains, this construction is grammatically correct and frequently encountered in diverse contexts, notably in news, media, scientific, and formal communications. The analysis shows that it's crucial to ensure clarity in context, specifying whether the phrase refers to physical transportation or motivational influence. While the phrase is generally acceptable and widely used, writers should be mindful of instances where active voice might yield a more direct and impactful expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were transported

Emphasizes the act of being moved from one place to another.

we were conveyed

Similar to 'transported', but slightly more formal.

we were compelled

Focuses on the feeling of being forced or obliged to do something.

we were motivated

Highlights the internal or external factors that pushed us to act.

we were forced

Indicates a lack of choice and the presence of external pressure.

we were influenced

Suggests that external factors shaped our decisions or actions.

we were led

Emphasizes guidance or direction from an external source.

we were taken

A more general term for being moved or escorted.

we were escorted

Suggests a protective or formal accompaniment.

we were made to

Highlights the act of being required or obligated to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "we were driven" in a sentence?

Use "we were driven" to describe being transported somewhere (e.g., "We were driven to the airport") or to express that a force motivated or compelled you and others (e.g., "We were driven by a desire for change").

What are some alternatives to saying "we were driven"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "we were transported" if referring to movement, or "we were motivated" if referring to a compelling force.

Is it correct to say "we were drive" instead of "we were driven"?

No, "we were drive" is grammatically incorrect. The correct passive form requires the past participle "driven". Always use "we were driven".

What's the difference between "we were driving" and "we were driven"?

"We were driving" indicates that you and others were actively operating a vehicle. "We were driven" means that you and others were passengers in a vehicle operated by someone else, or that you were motivated by some force.