were driven from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were driven from" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where individuals or groups are forced to leave a place or situation, often due to external pressures or conflicts. Example: "The villagers were driven from their homes by the advancing army."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

In 1996 they were driven from Kabul by the Taliban.

The New York Times

They lost the battle and were driven from Mount Pelion.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An estimated 20,000 non-Serbs were driven from Vukovar.

The New York Times

Many friends, he said, were driven from their homes, and others endured torture in police custody.

The New York Times

Many thousands were killed or imprisoned and uncounted others were driven from their homes.

The New York Times

Thousands of Serbs in Kosovo were driven from home after NATO troops arrived in June 1999.

The New York Times

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

The Guardian - Travel

Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard M. Nixon were driven from power.

The New York Times

Over a thousand Kenyans died, and a half-million were driven from their homes.

The New Yorker

They were driven from one place to another, transferred from truck to truck.

The New York Times

The war claimed some 200,000 lives; millions were driven from their homes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were driven from", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what caused the displacement. Specify the agent responsible for the action to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "were driven from" without specifying the cause or agent behind the action. Omitting this information can leave the reader wondering about the reasons for the displacement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were driven from" functions as a passive construction indicating that a subject (people, groups, etc.) experienced an action (being forced to leave) performed by an unspecified or implied agent. As Ludwig AI confirms, this passive construction is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were driven from" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive construction that describes the act of individuals or groups being forced to leave a place or situation. According to Ludwig AI, it is indeed correct and usable in written English.

Analysis of various sources reveals that this phrase appears frequently in news reports, encyclopedias, and historical accounts, indicating its suitability for neutral and informative contexts. The phrase emphasizes the displacement and loss of control experienced by the subject, without always specifying the agent responsible for the action.

Alternatives like "were expelled from" or "were forced out of" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. When using the phrase, it's essential to provide context and specify the cause or agent behind the displacement to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were expelled from

Focuses on formal or official removal from a place.

were forced out of

Emphasizes the element of coercion or lack of choice.

were displaced from

Highlights the disruption and relocation aspect of being removed.

were evicted from

Specifically refers to being legally removed from a property.

were banished from

Implies a more permanent and often punitive form of removal.

were ousted from

Suggests removal from a position or place of power.

were uprooted from

Emphasizes the loss of connection and stability.

were evacuated from

Implies a removal for safety reasons, often temporary.

were ejected from

Suggests a sudden and forceful removal.

were made to leave

Focuses on the action of forcing someone to depart.

FAQs

What does "were driven from" mean?

The phrase "were driven from" means that individuals or groups were forced to leave a particular place or situation, often due to conflict, persecution, or other external pressures.

What can I say instead of "were driven from"?

You can use alternatives like "were expelled from", "were forced out of", or "were displaced from" depending on the specific context.

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

You can use "were driven from" to describe historical events (e.g., "The Moriscos were driven from Granada in 1571"), current events (e.g., "Civilians were driven from their homes due to the conflict"), or even metaphorical situations (e.g., "Traditional values were driven from the community").

What's the difference between "were driven from" and "were evicted from"?

"Were driven from" is a more general term implying forceful removal from a place or situation, while "were evicted from" specifically refers to legal removal from a property, such as a house or apartment.