were driven by

USAGE SUMMARY

"were driven by" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or something was guided or caused to move forward by another. For example: The bees were driven by instinct to search for pollen in the nearby fields.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their decisions, however, were driven by money.

The New York Times

Some of the students' concerns were driven by family finances.

Stanford University

In fact sales were driven by a further £11bn.

The Guardian - Tech

"Actions we took were driven by concern for her welfare.

The Guardian

The two companies' results were driven by very different factors.

The New York Times

They were driven by curiosity, pride and obstinacy.

The New York Times

Increased earnings in 2000 were driven by higher gas prices.

The New York Times

Sales were driven by Target's food and commodity categories.

The New York Times

The evidence suggests that these effects were driven by aspirations.

Harvard Business Review

They were driven by race, religion, politics, and economics.

Britannica

In Alabama, sheets of rain were driven by 65 m.p.h.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were driven by", ensure that the subject clearly identifies what is being influenced and that the 'driving' force is explicitly stated to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were driven by" in contexts where the cause-and-effect relationship is vague or implied. Always specify what is causing the action or decision to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were driven by" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating causation or influence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies that a subject's actions, decisions, or states are the result of external factors. Numerous examples from the Ludwig database demonstrate its common usage in expressing these relationships.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were driven by" is a versatile phrase used to express causation or influence, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its grammatical function is that of a passive voice construction, frequently appearing in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While generally neutral in tone, it tends towards formality. Usage guidelines emphasize the importance of clearly identifying both the subject and the 'driving' force to maintain clarity. Common alternatives include "were motivated by" and "were influenced by". With numerous examples and diverse applications, "were driven by" remains a staple in effective communication. The phrase enjoys wide adoption, according to Ludwig's data.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were motivated by

Focuses on the internal reasons or desires behind actions, rather than external forces.

were influenced by

Emphasizes the effect of something or someone on a decision or outcome.

stemmed from

Indicates the origin or root cause of something.

resulted from

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a particular cause.

originated from

Stresses the starting point or source of something.

were prompted by

Suggests a more immediate or direct trigger for an action.

were determined by

Indicates a decisive or controlling influence.

were shaped by

Implies a gradual formation or development under the influence of something.

were fueled by

Conveys a sense of increased energy or intensity due to a specific cause.

were instigated by

Highlights the initiation or commencement of something by a particular factor.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were driven by" indicates that something was caused or influenced by a particular factor. For example, "The company's decisions "were driven by" market analysis."

What are some alternatives to "were driven by"?

You can use phrases such as "were motivated by", "were influenced by", or "resulted from" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "was driven by" instead of "were driven by"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "was driven by" for singular subjects and ""were driven by"" for plural subjects. For example, "The decision was driven by budget constraints."

What's the difference between "were driven by" and "were caused by"?

"Were driven by" often implies a directional or intentional influence, whereas "were caused by" simply indicates a causal relationship without the sense of direction.