i was motivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was motivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you felt inspired or driven to take action in the past. Example: "During my time in college, I was motivated to excel in my studies by my passion for learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was motivated by that.

The New Yorker

"I was motivated spiritually.

The Guardian

I was motivated just listening to him.

The New York Times - Sports

I was motivated purely by self-interest.

The Guardian - Arts

I was motivated because I wanted to make the team.

Independent

I was motivated by an acute fear of poverty.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was motivated not just by trend lines but, as a child of divorce, by ghosts.

The New York Times

When I swam across the Gulf of Aqaba, yes, I was motivated by idealism.

The New Yorker

(10) I can only tell you I was motivated by many factors.

The New York Times

"I had two days, and I was motivated to win this match".

The New York Times - Sports

"He played amazing tennis, so I was motivated to do the same thing".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "I was motivated" with a specific cause or goal to enhance the clarity and impact of your statement. For instance, "I was motivated by the desire to improve patient outcomes."

Common error

Avoid using "I was motivated" without explaining what prompted the motivation. Providing specific reasons or goals adds depth and credibility to your statement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I was motivated" is to express a past state of being influenced or driven by a particular reason, goal, or emotion. It serves to explain the impetus behind an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was motivated" is a versatile and grammatically sound way to express the reasons behind one's actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct. It is frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and business, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary. To enhance clarity, it is advisable to specify the cause or goal that prompted the motivation. This phrase helps convey intentions and reasoning, adding depth and credibility to any narrative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I felt driven

Focuses on the internal drive and compelling force behind the action.

I was inspired

Highlights the influence of an external source on one's motivation.

I was impelled

Emphasizes a strong, often irresistible, force pushing one to act.

I had the impetus

Focuses on the initial force or energy that started the action.

I was compelled

Suggests a sense of obligation or necessity in undertaking the action.

I was spurred on

Implies encouragement or incitement from an external factor.

I had a reason to

Indicates a clear justification or purpose behind one's actions.

I felt the urge

Highlights a strong internal desire or impulse to act.

My aim was to

Focuses on the goal or objective that motivated the action.

I purposed to

Implies a firm intention or resolve to achieve something.

FAQs

What does "I was motivated" mean?

The phrase "I was motivated" means that you had a reason or desire to do something. It implies that you were driven or inspired to take action.

What can I say instead of "I was motivated"?

You can use alternatives like "I felt driven", "I was inspired", or "I was compelled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I use "I was motivated" in a sentence?

You can use "I was motivated" to explain the reasons behind your actions. For example, "I was motivated to start exercising because I wanted to improve my health."

Is it better to say "I was motivated by" or "I was motivated to"?

"I was motivated by" is followed by a noun or a gerund (e.g., "I was motivated by the challenge"). "I was motivated to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "I was motivated to learn more"). Both are correct, but they require different grammatical structures.