incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'incentive' is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun that refers to something that motivates people to do something, such as an extra reward. For example, "The company offered an incentive for employees to reach their sales goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So we have created a strong incentive for hospitals in the system not to pick out the people who aren't entitled to free NHS care.

The Guardian

"I would ask them: is it compassionate to leave people on the dole for years with no incentive to get into work?" he said.

The Guardian

And then there is the money - salary up from £140,000 a year to £850,000 and potentially millions more in share options and incentive schemes.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr John Dean, a consultant cardiologist in Exeter, says NHS doctors who supplement their income by seeing patients privately end up compromising their ethics because they have a financial incentive to recommend treatment that may not be necessary.

The Guardian

A Shell spokesman said: "Shell supports and endorses incentive programmes provided by state and local authorities that improve the business climate for capital investment, economic expansion and job growth.

The Guardian

Aldama had an extra incentive to make sure she reached the final – her 71-year-old mother, Modesta, has left Cuba for the first time to watch her perform in the final.

The Guardian - Sport

In other countries with more proportional electoral systems – such as Germany or New Zealand's mixed-member system, where candidates vote for a party as well as a local representative – leaders have a big incentive to debate to win votes for their party.

The Guardian

This herding can lead to sudden reversals as market conditions change, and the tendency of individual investors to pull their money out of under-performing funds can give these laggards an incentive to take bigger risks, the authors argue.

The Guardian - Business

We have a good crop of young players and the monetary incentive towards the role has been good".

The Guardian - Sport

The low bar for incentive payouts is justified due to Camden's dire circumstances, said Timothy Lizura, president of the EDA.

The Guardian

Faxon and other senior colleagues signed up to generous incentive schemes after the company was taken private by Guy Hands in 2007, but annual accounts published on Wednesday show those schemes were cancelled before a single pound was paid out.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the ethical implications of your "incentive". Ensure it doesn't promote undesirable behaviors or create unfair advantages.

Common error

Avoid framing benefits as "incentives" when they are, in fact, entitlements. An "incentive" should motivate extra effort or specific actions, not merely reward participation or existence.

Linguistic Context

The word "incentive" functions primarily as a noun, referring to something that motivates, encourages, or stimulates action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is frequently used to denote a bonus or reward offered to encourage specific behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "incentive" is a versatile and commonly used noun, serving as a powerful motivator across diverse contexts. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and effectively communicates the idea of a reward or encouragement for specific actions. As the analysis shows, "incentive" frequently appears in News & Media, Formal & Business, and sports-related articles, maintaining a neutral to professional tone. Understanding its purpose and function, along with potential errors to avoid, can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your writing. Consider using related terms like "inducement", "motivator", or "reward" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inducement

A formal synonym that emphasizes persuading someone to do something.

reward

Emphasizes the benefit received in return for effort or action.

motivation

The reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way.

motivator

Focuses on the element that drives or inspires action.

encouragement

A broader term that covers various forms of support or motivation.

stimulus

Highlights the action of provoking or arousing activity.

impetus

Focuses on the driving force or initial push behind an action.

enticement

Suggests a means of attracting someone through appeal or pleasure.

spur

Implies an encouragement that drives sudden or increased action.

carrot

An informal term suggesting a reward as a means of persuasion.

FAQs

How to use "incentive" in a sentence?

An "incentive" motivates someone to do something. For example, "The company offered a bonus as an incentive to increase sales."

What can I say instead of "incentive"?

You can use alternatives like "inducement", "motivator", or "reward", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "incentive" or "motivational"?

"Incentive" is a noun referring to something that motivates. "Motivational" is an adjective describing something that provides motivation. Use "incentive" to refer to the thing itself, and "motivational" to describe its quality.

What's the difference between "incentive" and "reward"?

While both can be used to encourage behavior, an "incentive" is often offered before the action to motivate it, while a "reward" is given after the action as recognition.