a powerful motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a powerful motivation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a strong reason or driving force behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "The desire to improve the community served as a powerful motivation for her to start the nonprofit organization."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

So cell phone companies have a powerful motivation to get renewable power into rural areas, to get electricity to their customers, and to charge for electricity through their mobile phone payment systems.

The Guardian

But faith is often a powerful motivation for politicians.

The Guardian

But Ali had a powerful motivation to work with the American troops.

The New York Times - Magazine

Unlike Homer, Aeschylus gave Clytemnestra a powerful motivation for her treachery.

The New Yorker

So at least I have a powerful motivation for staying curious: I don't want to disappoint my daughter.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But that didn't happen.' London 2012 is acting as a powerful motivation for Radcliffe to extend an international career that started 17 years ago.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

But all these suggestions ignore the fact that a single human, with an unwavering focus and a sufficiently powerful motivation, can accomplish anything they set their mind to.

BBC

The driver in viral modes of clean economic development is a combination of both these qualities with an additional powerful motivation that resonates with the human spirit, an altruism that seeks to make real a community of citizens building our American Dream together.

Huffington Post

Like the hundreds of thousands of his fellow Cambodians who migrate in search of work each year, he had a simple but powerful motivation: "I heard there were better jobs in Thailand and I knew bahts were worth more than riels, so I decided to go".

The Guardian

Rebellion, a complex action, is another powerful motivation for lashon harah that often results in great harm and destruction.

Huffington Post

That longing for the sort of freedom only a two-wheeled machine can provide is powerful motivation to visit the dealer and zip away via the iron horse of choice.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a powerful motivation", ensure that the context clearly demonstrates the effect of this motivation. Show how it leads to specific actions or outcomes, reinforcing its significance.

Common error

Avoid using "a powerful motivation" when the context suggests a weak or insignificant reason. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact and credibility. Ensure the motivation genuinely warrants the descriptor 'powerful'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a powerful motivation" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and describes the underlying cause or reason that propels action. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a significant driving force.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Reference

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a powerful motivation" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression suitable for emphasizing a significant driving force behind actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears frequently in news, science, and formal business contexts, signifying its adaptability across diverse writing styles. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context indeed warrants the description of 'powerful' to maintain credibility and impact. Related phrases like "a compelling motive" or "a strong incentive" can provide nuanced alternatives depending on the specific aspect you wish to highlight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a compelling motive

Replaces "motivation" with "motive" and "powerful" with "compelling", emphasizing the persuasiveness of the reason.

a strong incentive

Substitutes "motivation" with "incentive", highlighting the reward or benefit aspect.

a driving force

Replaces the entire phrase with a metaphor that emphasizes the energy and direction provided.

a key impetus

Uses "impetus" to underscore the initiating or triggering aspect of the motivation.

a significant driver

Replaces "motivation" with "driver", which is a more active term emphasizing movement and progress.

a prime motivator

Highlights the role of something as the main cause or reason.

a potent influence

Shifts the focus to the capacity to affect actions or decisions.

a compelling reason

Focuses on the rationality and justification behind an action.

a fundamental cause

Emphasizes the foundational nature of the motivation.

a strong desire

Highlights the internal, emotional aspect of the motivation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a powerful motivation" in a sentence?

Use "a powerful motivation" to emphasize a strong reason behind someone's actions. For example, "The desire to protect their family was "a powerful motivation" for them to leave the country".

What are some alternatives to "a powerful motivation"?

Alternatives include "a compelling motive", "a strong incentive", or "a driving force", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a powerful motivation" versus "a simple reason"?

"A powerful motivation" should be used when the reason is particularly strong and influential, leading to significant actions or decisions. "A simple reason" is more appropriate for minor or less impactful situations.

What makes "a compelling motive" different from "a powerful motivation"?

"A compelling motive" suggests a persuasive and convincing reason, while "a powerful motivation" emphasizes the strength and influence of the reason in driving actions. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight persuasiveness or strength.