disincentives

USAGE SUMMARY

'disincentives' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is used to describe something that makes a particular course of action less attractive or desirable. For example, "The high cost of health insurance is a disincentive for young people to sign up".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This would remove some of the workforce disincentives for secondary earners in couple families who have primary school-age children.

The Guardian - Opinion

The upshot of such quotas, subsidies and controls is to dump all the imbalances that in another business might be smoothed out through small adjustments onto the one unregulated part of the food chain: the international market.For decades, this produced low world prices and disincentives to poor farmers.

The Economist

Is it a question of removing the remaining disincentives to work by, say, lowering taxes?

The Economist

This is not even factoring in the fact that many higher-paying jobs, just the type Ms. Sandberg wants women to lean in to, require longer hours and the more expensive child care that entails.Ms Faulhaber admits that her proposals for tweaking the tax code to remove these disincentives are unlikely to "pass in the face of sequestration".

The Economist

By bullying potential competitors into turning over their technology, the company has created "disincentives for innovation".At the moment the prospects do not look particularly good for the FTC.

The Economist

They calculate that the expected costs of the higher taxation (for instance, from the disincentives to work created by increased tax rates) are likely to outweigh the expected benefits (from the lower risk of a default in the event of a crisis) by a factor of ten.

The Economist

And, he argues, the government's decision to adopt the European social chapter and the working-time directive create potentially big disincentives for entrepreneurs.

The Economist

But not when the competition got too tough.However, when competition for members was intense, it created disincentives to improve chronic disease management and incentives to focus on attracting younger, healthier (and cheaper) members.

The Economist

These could compound the disincentives created by the withdrawal of the tax credit for the same people.The best way for the government to ensure a coherent policy is to be clear about its objectives.

The Economist

Often, clients face disincentives to withdrawing their money, such as lock-ups or forced realisation of capital gains.

The Economist

Above all, the city will one day have to think seriously about creating disincentives to driving cars.Still, Mr Sobyanin, who is a loyal and longstanding member of Mr Putin's team, somehow escapes the ire of those opposed to Mr Putin's rule.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing policy, clearly identify what specific actions or outcomes the "disincentives" are intended to discourage.

Common error

Ensure you're not using "disincentives" when you simply mean there's no positive encouragement. "Disincentives" actively discourage, while a lack of incentives means there's no encouragement either way.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "disincentives" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple factors that discourage a particular action or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

22%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "disincentives" functions as a plural noun to indicate factors that deter a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's frequently used in news and media, reflecting its relevance in discussing policy and its consequences. While "disincentives" is considered grammatically correct and very common, it's important not to confuse it with a mere absence of incentives, as it actively discourages. Common alternatives include "deterrents", "drawbacks", and "impediments". When employing "disincentives" in writing, specify the actions or outcomes that are being actively discouraged.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deterrents

Focuses more directly on prevention through fear.

drawbacks

Emphasizes the negative aspects or disadvantages.

impediments

Highlights obstacles that hinder progress.

obstacles

Stresses barriers that need to be overcome.

hindrances

Focuses on things that delay or obstruct action.

restraints

Highlights limitations or restrictions.

constraints

Focuses on limitations on freedom of action.

negative incentives

Highlights that incentives can discourage certain behavior, with an explicit adjective.

deterrents to action

Specifically mentions what is being discouraged.

factors discouraging action

Highlights the elements that dissuade a behavior or activity.

FAQs

How do you use "disincentives" in a sentence?

You can use "disincentives" to describe factors that discourage certain behaviors or actions. For example, "High taxes can act as "disincentives" to investment".

What are some alternatives to using the word "disincentives"?

Alternatives to "disincentives" include "deterrents", "drawbacks", or "impediments", depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

What's the difference between "disincentives" and "obstacles"?

"Disincentives" are factors that actively discourage an action, often through negative consequences, while "obstacles" are barriers that make it difficult to achieve something, but don't necessarily discourage the attempt.

Can "incentives" and "disincentives" exist simultaneously?

Yes, both "incentives" and "disincentives" can be present in a situation, pushing individuals in different directions. Understanding the balance is crucial for effective policymaking.