chief incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief incentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary motivation or reason behind a decision or action. Example: "The chief incentive for the company's expansion was to increase market share and profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The thought of those precious minutes on deck had been the chief incentive for enduring the long hours below.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. DiPascali's chief incentive all along has been that the prosecutors will ask the judge for leniency, so that he won't spend the rest of his life in prison.

The New York Times

The soldiers immediately seized arms without regard to military custom or rank, with no desire to distinguish praetorian or legionary by their proper insignia; they wore the helmets and shields of auxiliaries without distinction; there was no tribune or centurion to direct them; each guided and spurred himself on; and the chief incentive of the rascals was the grief of loyal men.

University of Chicago

Proponents argue that the bill would discourage unauthorized immigration by taking away a chief incentive, but the measure has more ominous implications.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

CURT NICKISCH: One of your suggestions is to appoint a Chief Incentives Officer.

Harvard Business Review

You'll need a more sophisticated and higher level HR group and Chief Incentives Officers than you have today.

Harvard Business Review

So, you read a lot of management books and said, well the CEO must be the CIO, the Chief Incentives Officer.

Harvard Business Review

And maybe the return on investment of let's say, hiring a Chief Incentives Officer, just thinking about it more professionally, more systematically.

Harvard Business Review

"That meeting was a watershed moment," said Vincent Alonzo, editor in chief of Incentive, a magazine that covers the industry.

The New York Times

The U.S. Congress has not renewed the chief tax incentive that has fueled development of wind power, and natural gas prices have plummeted, undercutting renewable prices.

Yale University

As well as the hours of training the programme is being run across the firm, and the first sessions were led by Lloyd Blankfein, Goldman's chief executive internal incentives have been revamped.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "chief incentive" to clearly identify the most important motivating factor behind a decision or action, particularly in situations where multiple incentives may be present. For instance, 'The "chief incentive" for adopting renewable energy was the long-term cost savings.'

Common error

Avoid using "chief incentive" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its formal tone is better suited for professional, academic, or journalistic contexts. Alternatives like "main reason" or "biggest motivation" are more appropriate for informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief incentive" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the primary motivating factor or reason behind a particular action, decision, or situation. Ludwig confirms the correct usage of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "chief incentive" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to denote the primary motivation behind an action or decision. As indicated by Ludwig, it's a usable and acceptable expression, though relatively rare. Its formality makes it suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic contexts. While alternatives like "main driver" or "primary motivation" can be used, "chief incentive" offers a specific emphasis on the incentivizing aspect. Be mindful to avoid overuse in informal conversations where simpler terms may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main driver

Emphasizes the force that propels action, differing in its more direct and forceful connotation.

primary motivation

Focuses specifically on the motivational aspect, similar but more explicit about intent.

principal impetus

A more formal and less common way to express the initial force behind an action.

key motivator

Highlights the element that incites action, similar in meaning but focuses on the motivational aspect.

central stimulus

Focuses on what provokes a response or action, shifting the emphasis to a triggering element.

prime inducement

Highlights the persuasive aspect of the incentive, implying something that leads or tempts someone to do something.

leading cause

Emphasizes the reason behind an event or decision, differing by its focus on causality.

major encouragement

Highlights the aspect of support and inspiration, suggesting something that builds confidence or enthusiasm.

core reason

Emphasizes the fundamental and essential aspect of the reason, differing in its focus on the base rationale.

essential stimulus

Emphasizes the necessary or vital aspect of the stimulus, suggesting something indispensable for triggering action.

FAQs

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

You can use "chief incentive" to highlight the primary motivation behind an action or decision. For example, 'The "chief incentive" for the company's expansion was to increase market share'.

What are some alternatives to "chief incentive"?

Alternatives include "main driver", "primary motivation", or "key motivator", depending on the context.

Is "chief incentive" formal or informal?

"Chief incentive" has a formal tone and is best used in professional, academic, or journalistic writing. Less formal alternatives are more suitable for casual conversation.

What's the difference between "chief incentive" and "main reason"?

"Chief incentive" emphasizes the motivating aspect of the reason, while "main reason" simply points to the primary cause or explanation.