driven by vs actuated by

Both 'driven by' and 'actuated by' are correct phrases that can be used interchangeably in many contexts. They both convey the idea of being controlled or influenced by something. The choice between them may depend on the specific context or personal preference.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 725 views

The phrase 'driven by' is correct and commonly used in English to indicate being motivated or influenced by something.

"driven by"

This phrase is often used to describe the force or influence behind a particular action or behavior. It can refer to both literal driving (e.g., a car driven by a person) and metaphorical driving (e.g., a decision driven by emotions).

Examples:

The company's success was driven by innovation.
She was driven by a desire to help others.
The project was driven by a tight deadline.
His actions were driven by fear.
The team was driven by a sense of purpose.

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Two bodies were discovered inside a limousine believed to have been driven by Michael Conlon.
And got into a car driven by a 17-year-old boy.
Everything he did was driven by a need to protect her.
Any vehicle driven by a... John is automatically seized by the city.
These people are driven by savagery.
They came in buses driven by white men.
I pulled behind the vehicle driven by a white male.
We're dealing with a soulless killing machine, driven by pure animal instinct.
Lots of speculation in the Vagisil car, driven by Eric Cartman.
It was driven by a Danush Nikad, a 23-year-old college dropout from Iranian money.
The guns were in the other car, driven by Rabou.
Nightmares are often driven by a conflict Between the conscious and the subconscious.
Just a shell driven by mindless instinct.
He seems to be driven by strange impulses.
apparently driven by people watching web video.
The commander saw you getting out of one driven by a man.
I was being driven by a higher power.
Gangbangers are driven by money and power.
War is driven by propaganda on all sides.
This whole machine is driven by guilt.

Alternatives:

motivated by
influenced by
guided by
propelled by
compelled by

The phrase 'actuated by' is correct but less commonly used in everyday English compared to 'driven by'. It is more formal and may be found in technical or specialized contexts.

"actuated by"

This phrase is used to indicate being set in motion or influenced by something. It is often seen in technical or formal writing.

Examples:

The machine is actuated by a sensor.
His decision was actuated by a sense of duty.
The system is actuated by a series of levers.
The device is actuated by pressing a button.
The mechanism is actuated by a spring.

Show examples from the web [+]

The energy necessary to compress the spring in order to release the brake shall be supplied and controlled by the 'control' actuated by the driver (see definition in point 1.4 of Annex I).
In the case of a retractor actuated by strap movement, the extraction shall be in the direction in which it normally occurs when the retractor is installed in a vehicle.
'steered wheels' means the wheels actuated by the vehicle's steering system;
'self-steered wheels' means wheels not actuated by the vehicle's steering device, which may swivel through an angle not exceeding 20º owing to the friction exerted by the ground.;
In the case of a retractor actuated by strap movement, the extraction shall be in the direction in which it normally occurs when the retractor is installed in a vehicle.
In the case of a retractor actuated by strap movement, the extraction shall be in the direction in which it normally occurs when the retractor is installed in a vehicle.
'Steering control' means the steering device, usually the steering wheel, which is actuated by the driver.
If this device is actuated by the parking control it must act at the same time as the device which stops the engine of the vehicle;
a tractor brake control which is independent of the trailer brake control, the latter being in all cases mounted on the tractor in such a way as to be easily actuated by the driver from his driving seat,
'Drive direction control unit' means a specific device physically actuated by the driver in order to select the drive direction (forwards or backwards), in which the vehicle will travel if the accelerator is actuated.
The great majority of those seeking better lives in new countries are actuated by understandable - indeed laudable - economic motives.
The reversal may be actuated by one of the safety devices referred to in paragraph 7.6.6.3.1. or by any other device.
Brief description of the vehicle in respect of the identification of controls actuated by the driver, tell-tales and indicators.
The Finnish authorities considered that the two-hand control device fitted to the machinery was not designed to avoid being easily defeated or actuated by one hand or by other parts of the body.
In the case of brake actuators fitted with a mechanical locking device, the brake actuator shall be capable of being actuated by either of two energy reserves.
In addition, any such disconnection shall be permitted in the case of the parking braking system, provided that it is controlled exclusively by the driver from his driving seat by a system which cannot be actuated by a leak (3).
'steering control' means the steering device, usually the steering wheel, which is actuated by the driver;
a tractor brake control which is independent of the towed vehicle brake control; the latter being in all cases mounted on the tractor in such a way as to be easily actuated by the driver from his driving seat,
'control' means any part of the vehicle or component directly actuated by the driver which causes a change in the state or operation of the vehicle or one of the parts thereof;
The three-point hydraulic lifting mechanism is actuated by means of controls which operate on the 'hold-to-run principle';

Alternatives:

triggered by
set in motion by
put into action by
activated by
moved by

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driven by vs actuated by

"driven by"

"actuated by"

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