be motivated to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be motivated to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or feelings that drive someone to take action or pursue a goal. Example: "To succeed in this competitive environment, you need to be motivated to improve your skills continuously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Then you'll be motivated to find food.

The Guardian

Will people be motivated to work hard?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Another may be motivated to paint a still life.

The New York Times

We don't want to be motivated to become better people.

The Guardian - Books

Soon corporate America will be motivated to step up investment.

The New York Times - Arts

You have to be motivated to win a championship".

The New York Times - Sports

Will they be motivated to win one for Kirk?

The Guardian - Sport

"Some might be motivated to exaggerate conditions to achieve benefits.

The New York Times

More important, carriers would be motivated to be more responsible.

Harvard University

You will be motivated to do this job, for them.

Columbia University

Can we help our children be motivated to succeed?

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be motivated to" to highlight the reasons or incentives behind someone's actions, indicating a clear purpose or goal-oriented behavior.

Common error

Avoid overusing "be motivated to" in passive constructions where the actor is unclear. Instead, specify who or what is providing the motivation for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be motivated to" functions as an infinitive phrase. It typically introduces a reason or purpose behind an action, explaining why someone is inclined to do something. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be motivated to" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the reasons behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and usability. It's most frequently found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a broad applicability. To enhance clarity, avoid passive constructions. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "be inspired to" or "be driven to", depending on the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be inspired to

Highlights the role of inspiration as a catalyst, different from a broader range of motivating factors.

be driven to

Suggests a forceful impetus, often from an external source, whereas "be motivated to" can imply internal drive.

be stimulated to

Highlights that something has stimulated the action.

have the desire to

Emphasizes personal wanting or longing as opposed to factors that might push one into action.

be encouraged to

Implies incitement by suggestion or advice, differing from an internal sense of purpose in "be motivated to".

find it in oneself to

Signifies finding the inner strength and resilience to act in a way that is very similar to "be motivated to".

feel inclined to

Indicates a tendency or disposition toward a certain action, differing from "be motivated to" which implies a stronger driving force.

be compelled to

Suggests an obligation or necessity, often stronger than simple motivation.

be willing to

Highlights readiness and consent, less emphasis on the underlying reasons or impelling causes.

be predisposed to

Signifies an inherent inclination, moving away from actively instigating factors.

FAQs

How can I use "be motivated to" in a sentence?

You can use "be motivated to" to explain why someone is taking a specific action. For example, "Students "will be motivated to" study harder if they see the relevance of the material".

What are some alternatives to "be motivated to"?

Depending on the nuance you want to convey, alternatives include "be inspired to", "be driven to", or "feel inclined to".

Is it better to say "be motivated to" or "have the motivation to"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "be motivated to" often implies an external influence or a specific cause, whereas "have the motivation to" focuses on an internal state.

Can "be motivated to" suggest a negative influence?

While generally positive, "be motivated to" can, in certain contexts, imply manipulation or coercion if the source of the motivation is questionable. Consider the sentence: "Accountants may still "be motivated to" avoid asking tough questions, experts say."