motivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "motivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a person or thing that has a desire to achieve something or is determined to do something. For example: "He was highly motivated to achieve success in his career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was motivated by his fear of being out," Caster said of White's motive for the killing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Four out of 10 of the force feel motivated at work, while the same proportion do not.

The Guardian

She has been at the distant women's penal colony since October, serving the remainder of a two-year sentence on charges of "hooliganism motivated by religious hatred".

The Guardian - Music

Gohmert said his decision was motivated by his and his colleagues' frustration with Boehner's willingness to reach agreements with Democrats on basic spending legislation.

The Guardian

In a break with protocol, the invitation for Netanyahu to speak was orchestrated by Republican congressional leaders without input from the White House or State Department, angering senior administration officials who believe it was politically motivated.

The Guardian

Launsky-Tiefenthal said an Austrian foreign ministry travel warning had been in effect for the region since 2007 "because of several incidents involving attacks on tourist groups... in some cases politically motivated, in others criminally motivated".

The Guardian

Shaw said the outcomes of the government audit "won't deal with the reality of living with bad government policy" and he accused the chief minister of being motivated by politics.

The Guardian

It's a virtuous combination of well-qualified, skilled teachers motivated by clear, fair-minded and knowledgable leadership, collectively focused on students' wellbeing and all-round achievements.

The Guardian

"You were motivated by nothing more than just personal greed to try and secure an improper outcome," Watson said.

The Guardian

"They're motivated by an extreme ideology," Scott said of Causevic and Besim.

The Guardian

"What keeps you motivated to fight and go on?" Referring to barrel bombs widely used in Syria, he replies: "When you see a little girl killed by barrels or an old man crying cuz his house was bombed".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "motivated" to describe someone who is enthusiastic and determined to achieve a specific goal. It implies a strong internal drive.

Common error

Avoid using "motivated" when describing actions that are purely habitual or unintentional. "Motivated" implies a conscious decision and effort.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "motivated" primarily functions to describe someone's internal state, indicating they have a strong reason or desire to accomplish something. Ludwig AI confirms the word is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivated" is a versatile adjective used to describe someone with a strong desire and enthusiasm to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term is grammatically correct and widely used. Its primary function is to convey dedication and commitment, appearing frequently in news, business, and scientific contexts. Alternatives like ""driven"" or "inspired" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments, while avoiding passive constructions ensures accurate usage. With a solid presence across diverse sources, "motivated" remains a relevant and effective term in modern English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driven

Focuses on internal force or ambition.

inspired

Highlights the positive influence that leads to action.

enthusiastic

Emphasizes excitement and eagerness.

determined

Suggests a firm decision and commitment to achieve a goal.

eager

Implies a strong desire or impatience to do something.

ambitious

Focuses on having a strong desire for success or achievement.

compelled

Suggests being forced or driven by an irresistible impulse.

stimulated

Implies being encouraged or excited to act.

incentivized

Highlights the provision of an incentive to encourage action.

prompted

Suggests being urged or caused to take action.

FAQs

How to use "motivated" in a sentence?

You can use "motivated" to describe someone who is eager to work hard and achieve success, such as: "She is a highly "driven" and motivated student".

What can I say instead of "motivated"?

You can use alternatives like ""driven"", "inspired", or "enthusiastic" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "motivated by" or "motivated from"?

"Motivated by" is the correct usage. It indicates the cause or reason behind someone's motivation, such as "He was motivated by a desire to help others".

What's the difference between "motivated" and "inspired"?

"Motivated" suggests a practical, goal-oriented drive, while "inspired" implies a more emotional or creative impulse. Someone might be motivated by money but inspired by art.