a powerful incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

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

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Competition is a powerful incentive.

The New York Times

But universal coverage provides a powerful incentive to manage costs.

The New York Times

He has a powerful incentive to do a deal.

The New York Times

The PRI has a powerful incentive to collaborate.

The Economist

But this, in itself, is a powerful incentive.

The Guardian

First, neither network has a powerful incentive to undertake innovation.

The New York Times

Hence reformers have a powerful incentive to argue two propositions.

The Washington Post

That sealed envelope is a powerful incentive for the parties to settle the case.

Harvard University

This could be a powerful incentive for firms to take security more seriously.

The New York Times

Seeing friends and neighbours struggle with inadequate pensions can be a powerful incentive to save more.

The Economist

That's a powerful incentive for worried parents to get their children inside a VR headset.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a powerful incentive" when you want to emphasize the significant impact an incentive has on motivating behavior or driving action.

Common error

While "a powerful incentive" is appropriate in many contexts, avoid using it excessively in the same piece of writing. Opt for synonyms such as "compelling motivation" or "strong impetus" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful incentive" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a strong motivating factor. It describes something that effectively encourages or drives action. Ludwig's examples show its use across various domains, highlighting its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a powerful incentive" is a commonly used phrase to describe a significant motivating factor. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and is employed across diverse fields, including news, science, and academia. When writing, consider the strength you wish to convey, and feel free to use related phrases like "compelling motivation" or "strong impetus" for variety. Remember to use "a" before "powerful" because it begins with a consonant sound. By avoiding overuse and considering the context, you can effectively use this phrase to emphasize the impact of various incentives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling motivation

Emphasizes the driving force behind an action, similar to an incentive.

a strong impetus

Highlights the driving force or momentum behind an action.

a significant inducement

Focuses on the persuasive aspect of encouraging action.

a considerable encouragement

Highlights the support or motivation provided.

a substantial encouragement

Highlights the support or motivation provided and the fact that is big.

a noteworthy stimulus

Suggests something that provokes or encourages activity.

a remarkable stimulus

Suggests something that provokes or encourages activity and the fact that is big.

a potent inducement

Focuses on the strength and effectiveness of the persuasive element.

a vital spur

Implies a driving force that is essential for progress.

a key motivator

Focuses on the essential factor that drives someone to act.

FAQs

How can "a powerful incentive" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a powerful incentive" to describe something that strongly motivates someone to take action. For example, "The potential for a large bonus served as "a powerful incentive" for the sales team to exceed their targets".

What are some alternatives to "a powerful incentive"?

Alternatives include "a compelling motivation", "a strong impetus", or "a significant inducement", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "a powerful incentive" or should it be "an powerful incentive"?

It is correct to say "a powerful incentive". The choice between "a" and "an" depends on the sound of the following word, not the letter. Since "powerful" begins with a consonant sound, "a" is the appropriate article.

In what contexts is "a powerful incentive" most appropriately used?

"A powerful incentive" is suitable in contexts where there's a clear driving force or motivation, such as business, economics, or personal development. It suggests a substantial reason for someone to take a particular course of action.