artificial incentives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "artificial incentives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe incentives that are created or manipulated rather than arising naturally, often in contexts related to economics, psychology, or organizational behavior. Example: "The company implemented artificial incentives to boost employee productivity, but it did not lead to long-term engagement."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

p. What is the problem with subsidies and other artificial incentives?

The New York Times

The idea is to get rid of artificial incentives to produce.

The Economist

First, our trade policies must eliminate the artificial incentives to move overseas the industries that create these well-paying jobs.

The New York Times

The committee makes several commonsense recommendations: get rid of these artificial incentives; introduce strict guidelines on the use of PFI; and consider using direct investment instead.

The Guardian - Business

The result of this has been a rush to build plants all over the place, adding to the capacity mountain.To some extent, firms are responding to the artificial incentives offered by trade barriers.

The Economist

Facebook explain the changes as intended to "ensure quality connections and help businesses reach the people who matter to them," going on to say that they want people to like Pages in order to connect with a business or person and not because of artificial incentives.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We're contemplating some limits on reimbursements so as not to create an artificial incentive to treat those people when they might be harmed by the treatment," Dr. Tunis said.

The New York Times

Economists believe this provides artificial incentive for employers to provide generous health insurance.

Huffington Post

But they did argue that in the current political environment, the decision-making process has been clouded by an artificial incentive to choose safety over purpose, and a diminished tolerance for risk.

Huffington Post

We did not provide patient incentives for counseling sessions (only for data-collection interviews) in order to avoid introducing an artificial incentive for attending BCI and BBCET sessions.

Harvard Review of Psychiatry

And, it asked, if development of the West Side is inevitable, "why should costly artificial economic incentives be offered to encourage that development?" Mr. Bloomberg's Democratic challenger in next Tuesday's election, Comptroller William C. Thompson, has said the mayor focuses too much on large developments that go to favored builders who receive wasteful subsidies.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing economic policies or business strategies, clarify the specific mechanisms behind the "artificial incentives" to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify whether they are subsidies, tax breaks, or regulatory advantages.

Common error

Avoid using the term "artificial incentives" without specifying the context or providing examples. This can lead to confusion or misinterpretation. Always clarify what makes the incentive "artificial" and who benefits from it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "artificial incentives" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where 'artificial' modifies 'incentives'. It describes incentives that are not naturally occurring but are created or manipulated. Ludwig confirms this usage is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "artificial incentives" refers to incentives that are deliberately created, not naturally occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English. It frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, often in discussions about economics or policy. When using the phrase, clarity is essential to ensure readers understand the specific mechanisms involved and potential implications. Alternatives include "contrived inducements" or "engineered incentives", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

created incentives

A simpler and more direct way of saying that the incentives were intentionally made.

engineered incentives

Emphasizes the deliberate design and implementation of the incentives.

incentives by design

Changes the structure while keeping the meaning that the incentives are intentional.

contrived inducements

Replaces "incentives" with a synonym, and "artificial" with a word suggesting deliberate creation.

policy-driven incentives

Highlights that these incentives are the result of a deliberate policy or strategic decision.

manufactured motivations

Substitutes both words with close synonyms emphasizing the non-organic origin of the stimulus.

imposed motivations

Suggests that the motivations are not intrinsic but are applied from an external source.

synthetic encouragements

Uses a more formal synonym for "artificial" and a softer term for "incentives".

orchestrated incentives

Suggests a coordinated and planned effort to put the incentives in place.

forced incentives

Highlights the imposed nature of the incentives, suggesting they are not naturally arising.

FAQs

How can "artificial incentives" impact market dynamics?

"Artificial incentives" can distort market signals, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potentially harming long-term economic stability. They might encourage behaviors that wouldn't occur under natural market conditions.

What are some examples of "artificial incentives" in economics?

Examples include subsidies for specific industries, tax breaks for certain activities, and price controls. These interventions are designed to influence economic behavior but can have unintended consequences.

What's the difference between "artificial incentives" and natural incentives?

"Artificial incentives" are created by external forces, such as government policies, while natural incentives arise from inherent market demands or individual motivations. Unlike "natural incentives", artificial ones may not reflect true economic value.

Are "artificial incentives" always negative for the economy?

Not necessarily. While they can cause distortions, "artificial incentives" may be used to correct market failures, promote social welfare, or stimulate economic growth in targeted areas. The impact depends on the specific context and design of the incentive.