a great incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a great incentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a motivating factor or reason that encourages someone to take a specific action or make a decision. Example: "The company offered a great incentive for employees to meet their sales targets, which significantly boosted productivity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"This is a great incentive for patriotism.

The Guardian

It was also a great incentive to escape.

The Guardian

"It's a great incentive for them to complete the treatment plan".

The New York Times

That would be a great incentive for old people to stay at work.

The Economist

A spokeswoman for financial data provider Moneyfacts says the railcard is a "great incentive".

The Guardian - Money

That would be a great incentive for people on the ad-supported tier to pony up some cash.

The New Yorker

"You get huge queues of people for low-level jobs, creating a great incentive to save money by outsourcing.

The Economist

So there will be a great incentive for funds to flow from one to the other, thereby potentially destabilising currencies.

Independent

"If they are to square off, we feel that a $5 million purse is a great incentive".

The New York Times - Sports

That structure, analysts say, should prove a great incentive for Gucci executives eager to maintain a degree of independence.

The New York Times

We believe it's important that every small business build that e-mail list, and these offers create a great incentive for customers to get on it.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a great incentive", ensure the context clearly defines what action or behavior is being encouraged. This clarity maximizes the phrase's impact and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid pairing "a great incentive" with vague or weak qualifiers that diminish its impact. For example, instead of saying "it's a great incentive, I guess", directly state the incentive and its benefits.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a great incentive" functions primarily as a noun phrase that acts as a subject complement or direct object. It identifies and describes something that motivates or encourages action. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a great incentive" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that identifies a strong motivating factor. Ludwig highlights its correct usage across various sources, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it's important to ensure context and avoid vague qualifiers to maximize its impact. Consider alternatives like "a significant motivator" or "a powerful stimulus" for nuanced expression. With its wide applicability and clear meaning, "a great incentive" serves as a valuable tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant motivator

Emphasizes the importance and impact of the motivating factor.

a powerful stimulus

Highlights the ability to trigger action or response effectively.

a strong inducement

Suggests a compelling reason that persuades someone to do something.

a compelling encouragement

Focuses on the persuasive and heartening aspect of the motivation.

an effective impetus

Indicates a driving force that initiates or accelerates action.

a substantial encouragement

Highlights the quantity and volume of the encouragment.

a major boost

Focuses on the aspect of increasing something.

a key motivator

Expresses the idea of a central reason for acting.

an important stimulus

Emphasizes relevance and importance of the motivating factor.

a prime encouragement

Expresses that the encouragement is of the best quality.

FAQs

How can I use "a great incentive" in a sentence?

You can use "a great incentive" to describe something that motivates someone to take action. For example, "The bonus was "a great incentive" for the sales team to exceed their targets".

What are some alternatives to "a great incentive"?

Some alternatives to "a great incentive" include "a significant motivator", "a powerful stimulus", or "a strong inducement".

Is it always appropriate to use "a great incentive" in formal writing?

While "a great incentive" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "a significant motivator" or "a compelling encouragement" in highly formal or academic contexts.

What makes something qualify as "a great incentive"?

A "great incentive" is typically something that offers substantial benefits or rewards, making it highly motivating for individuals or groups to pursue a specific goal or action.