which was driven

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was driven" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that was operated or caused to move by a specific force or mechanism, often in a past context. Example: "The car, which was driven by a skilled racer, won the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Two hours later police saw a man running back to the vehicle which was driven off at speed.

Independent

The bank's strength was reflected in the latest earnings report, which was driven by improvements in the lending business.

The New York Times

The clerk had also noted the last three digits of the getaway car, which was driven by Whittler, the police said.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, Mr. Rodriguez had a lesser role in the murder, which was driven mainly by Mr. Quiñones's desire for revenge against the informant.

The New York Times

Witness the enthusiasm for classical modernist abstraction in dance, which was driven initially by a cadre of dance critics deriving from the politically conservative Arlene Croce.

The New York Times

Yukos versus Russia involved the compensation of five named shareholders in Mikhail Khodorkhovsky's former oil company, Yukos, which was driven to bankruptcy – allegedly by Russian tax policy.

The Guardian

Their van, which was driven by Brother Zarzycki, flipped over and Brendan, who was not wearing a seat belt, was thrown out.

The New York Times

The attacker had apparently waited in a white Mitsubishi Lancer, which was driven by an accomplice and later found abandoned on a nearby street.

The Guardian

Her Civic Alliance Party said that a vehicle had smashed into the car in which she was riding, which was driven by her husband, who survived.

The New York Times

In my teens I absorbed her shopping M.O., which was driven by a healthy mixture of practicality and the visceral rush of a good find.

The New York Times

One such case involves Bear Stearns, which was driven to the edge of collapse after rumors about its financial stability led to huge withdrawals of funds.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was driven", ensure the context clearly identifies what is being driven, whether it's a vehicle, a process, or an idea. Clarity prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "which was driven" in sentences where the subject driving the action is unclear or undefined. Ensure the sentence provides sufficient context to understand the cause and effect relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was driven" functions as a relative clause, adding descriptive information about a noun in the main clause. Ludwig examples show its usage in describing vehicles, decisions, and abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which was driven" functions as a relative clause, adding descriptive detail about a noun. It's commonly used across diverse fields, from News & Media to Science, indicating a neutral register suitable for various contexts. As Ludwig highlights, this phrase serves to provide additional context or explanation about a cause or operation. It is used to clarify the influences or forces behind an action or event. Understanding the scope and using "which was driven" with clear context ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was operated

Focuses on the act of operating something, changing the emphasis from the driving force to the action.

that was propelled

Emphasizes the force moving something forward, suitable for contexts involving movement.

that was powered

Highlights the source of energy that enabled movement or operation.

that was actuated

Focuses on the mechanism that initiated the action.

which was motivated by

Shifts the focus to the underlying cause or reason behind an action.

which was caused by

Directly indicates the cause of a specific event or condition.

that stemmed from

Suggests that something originated or derived from a particular source or cause.

which resulted from

Highlights the outcome or consequence of a specific action or event.

that originated in

Focuses on the place or time where something began or started.

that was conducted by

Indicates who or what carried out a particular action or task.

FAQs

How can I use "which was driven" in a sentence?

Use "which was driven" to add descriptive detail about the cause or operation behind a specific noun. For instance, "The decision, which was driven by market analysis, proved successful."

What are some alternatives to "which was driven"?

Alternatives include "that was operated", "that was propelled", or "that was caused by", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "that was driven" and "which was driven"?

"Which was driven" introduces non-essential, additional information. "That was driven" introduces essential information. Use "which" with a comma and "that" without. For example, "The car, which was driven by my brother, is blue" versus "The car that was driven in the race won."

Can "which was driven" refer to abstract concepts?

Yes, "which was driven" can refer to abstract concepts like ideas, decisions, or changes. For example, "The reform, which was driven by public demand, brought significant improvements."