a driving force — main impetus (figurative)
collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional
the person or thing that is most responsible for making something happen or for encouraging progress, especially in a project, movement, or change
Say it like a native
Textbook She was the principal instigating agent behind the reform.
Native She was the driving force behind the reform.
'The driving force behind' is the natural fixed phrase; 'principal instigating agent' is made-up officialese.
Pattern: a/the driving force behind/for something
In use
- Her passion for education was the driving force behind the charity's success.work
- In my opinion, curiosity is often the driving force behind scientific discoveries, as it motivates researchers to keep exploring new ideas.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She was the driving force of the project.
✓ She was the driving force behind the project.
'The driving force BEHIND something', not 'of'.
Common collocations
the driving force behind— the project, the campaign, change, the company
Don't confuse it
Unlike 'the main reason', which simply explains why something happens, 'a driving force' suggests ongoing energy or motivation that makes things happen.