a compelling incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a compelling incentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or motivations that strongly encourage someone to take a specific action or make a decision. Example: "The company offered a compelling incentive for employees to meet their sales targets, including bonuses and extra vacation days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Savings that range from half to less than one-tenth the price of designer apparel or high-end brands are a compelling incentive to buy.

The New York Times - Style

When there is a compelling incentive for experts in different disciplines to work together and share data in a transparent environment, we're likely to make the fastest progress.

Harvard Business Review

Counseling interviews with emerging adults show that the elicitation of some expected SIF allows them to re-read their current and past experiences from such a perspective and constitutes a compelling incentive to act.

Journal of Vocational Behavior

A RULING issued in late August by a Civil Court judge in Manhattan provides a compelling incentive for co-op and condominium boards to address the issue of secondhand tobacco smoke in their buildings.

The New York Times

But though there is still some feeling in the art world that museums shouldn't collaborate with commercial galleries, Gagosian's willingness to do — and pay — whatever it took to stage the exhibition was a compelling incentive for the Henry Moore Foundation to agree to the idea when it was approached 18 months ago.

The New York Times - Arts

We asked the press to refuse to carry campaign ads on our behalf from outside groups, and we agreed to deduct the cost of any independently financed negative ads about each other from our own advertising budgets, a compelling incentive to keep our friends at bay so they couldn't detract from our own message strategy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

And demonstrating to the world that a 47-year-old (she turns 48 in September) can still compete against the best — and considerably younger — athletes has been an equally compelling incentive.

The New York Times - Sports

It also allows us to build on our existing world-class reputation for creating innovative businesses and offers an additional compelling incentive for inward investors".

BBC

The Chinese government, she said, has an even more compelling incentive to keep buying: it needs the United States to recover as a market for Chinese goods.

The New York Times

And while the waste of water alone should be enough to inspire a homeowner to ferret out such leaks and fix them, the actual cost of those leaks over a one-year period -- about $307 and $426 respectively, including New York City sewage charges -- provides an even more compelling incentive.

The New York Times

The participants were given a disturbance allowance of £100 (£20 per week), to provide a limited, but not compelling, incentive for participation.

British Journal of Nutrition

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a compelling incentive", ensure that the incentive is clearly linked to a desired outcome to maximize its effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "a compelling incentive" when the incentive is weak or not genuinely motivating, as this can undermine credibility. Instead, accurately describe the incentive's potential impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a compelling incentive" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "compelling" modifies the noun "incentive". According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe something that strongly motivates or encourages action.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a compelling incentive" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that describes a strong motivating factor. It's frequently found in news articles, scientific publications, and business documents, where it emphasizes the persuasiveness of a particular reason or reward. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides real-world examples of its use. When using this phrase, ensure that the described incentive is indeed motivating and clearly linked to the desired outcome. Alternatives include "a strong inducement" or "a persuasive motivation".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a strong inducement

Replaces "incentive" with "inducement", implying a more persuasive or influential factor.

a persuasive motivation

Substitutes "incentive" with "motivation", emphasizing the psychological aspect of encouragement.

a powerful stimulus

Replaces "incentive" with "stimulus", suggesting something that provokes action or effort.

an irresistible lure

Uses a metaphorical term, implying something highly attractive that draws people in.

a decisive factor

Shifts the focus to the impact of the incentive as a key element in decision-making.

a magnetic pull

Uses a metaphor of physical attraction to convey the strength of the incentive.

a significant impetus

Emphasizes the driving force or momentum provided by the incentive.

an enticing prospect

Focuses on the attractive or desirable nature of the incentive.

a tempting proposition

Highlights the offer or suggestion aspect of the incentive.

a motivating force

Directly describes the incentive as something that energizes and drives action.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a compelling incentive" in a sentence?

To use "a compelling incentive" effectively, clearly state what the incentive is and what action it is designed to encourage. For example, "The promise of a promotion served as "a compelling incentive" for employees to exceed their performance goals."

What are some alternatives to "a compelling incentive"?

You can use alternatives such as "a strong inducement", "a persuasive motivation", or "a powerful stimulus" depending on the specific context.

Is it always appropriate to describe an incentive as "compelling"?

No, it is not always appropriate. The term "compelling" implies that the incentive is highly persuasive and effective. Use it only when the incentive genuinely motivates action. Overusing it can diminish its impact and credibility.

What makes an incentive "compelling"?

An incentive is "compelling" when it strongly appeals to people's needs, desires, or goals, making them highly motivated to take a particular action. Factors such as the value of the reward, the ease of achieving it, and its relevance to their personal or professional interests all contribute to its compelling nature.