motivated for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'motivated for' is not grammatically correct.
You would use the phrase 'motivated to' instead. For example, "John was motivated to do his best on the exam."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Motivational activities are activities from which a student appears to be motivated for group work (e.g. amount of contributions, participation).

Advances in Health Sciences Education

I'm very motivated for this race.

The New York Times - Sports

"We was definitely motivated for this game," Williams said.

The New York Times - Sports

I couldn't quite get motivated for earlier in the year.

The New York Times - Sports

It's easy to be motivated for those games.

The New York Times

"If they are motivated, for sure they will learn it.

The New York Times

"I'd like to thank Coach Shoop for helping us get motivated for this game".

The New York Times - Sports

To come back and be motivated for that was a big challenge for all of us.

The New York Times - Sports

I'm going to use it to help stay motivated for next year.

The New York Times - Sports

He continued: "Both ourselves and Ireland are hugely motivated for this game.

The Guardian - Sport

"Every career has higher and lower moments, mentally and physically, but I'm motivated for this final".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Although "motivated for" is commonly used, especially in informal contexts, opt for the grammatically correct and more formal "motivated to" in professional and academic writing.

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "motivated". The correct preposition to use is "to", as it accurately conveys the intended meaning of being driven towards a particular goal or action. Instead of saying "He is motivated for success", say "He is motivated to achieve success".

Linguistic Context

The phrase, although grammatically questionable, functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the state of being driven or encouraged towards a specific purpose. However, according to Ludwig AI, the grammatically accepted form is to use "motivated to".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the expression "motivated for" appears frequently across various sources, including News & Media and Science, Ludwig AI emphasizes that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "motivated to". This analysis highlights the importance of choosing the right preposition to accurately convey your intended meaning and maintain grammatical correctness. When aiming to express drive or intention, "motivated to" is the preferred choice. While commonly used, especially in informal settings, opting for the grammatically sound "motivated to" enhances clarity and professionalism in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspired to

Replaces "motivated" with "inspired", emphasizing the source of the drive being external.

driven to

Focuses on the internal force propelling action rather than an external motivation.

eager to

Indicates enthusiasm and anticipation for a particular action or goal.

keen to

Similar to "eager to", but carries a slightly more formal tone.

determined to

Highlights the resolve and commitment to achieve a specific outcome.

resolved to

Implies a firm decision and commitment to take action.

compelled to

Suggests an irresistible force or obligation driving the action.

inclined to

Indicates a predisposition or tendency to act in a certain way.

disposed to

Similar to "inclined to", suggesting a natural preference or tendency.

stimulated to

Focuses on the activation and encouragement received to pursue something.

FAQs

Is "motivated for" grammatically correct?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "motivated to". Although you might encounter "motivated for" in informal contexts, it's best to use "motivated to" in formal writing.

What does it mean to be "motivated to" do something?

To be "motivated to" do something means you have a strong reason or desire to take action and achieve a particular goal. It implies a sense of purpose and drive.

What are some alternatives to "motivated to"?

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

Which is correct: "motivated for" or "motivated by"?

"Motivated by" refers to the cause or reason behind someone's motivation. For instance, "He was motivated by the desire to help others". Use "motivated to" when referring to the action someone is driven to take.