motivates

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'motivates' is correct and commonly used in written English.
You can use it when talking about something or someone that inspires or encourages someone to take action or achieve a goal. It is often used in the context of personal growth, success, and productivity. Example: "Music motivates me to work harder and be more focused on my goals." The teacher's words of encouragement motivated her students to study harder for the exam.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What motivates you?

The New York Times

But what motivates students to start their own societies?

The Guardian

In part, moral revulsion motivates these underworld gumshoes, though it's also clear that killing children is bad for illicit business.

The Guardian - Film

"The fact that it's close motivates our people, and we are not taking a single vote for granted," said Hughes, the deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats until last year, as he stuffed another leaflet through a letter box.

The Guardian

A youth-led organization, the GYIN motivates and supports members' initiatives.

The Guardian

Hours spent by him typing – something he very rarely gets to do in a job where everything is on paper, arriving in boxes, drafted for you – relishing the time to think, explaining why he is here and who he is and above all what motivates him as a Liberal Democrat in government.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I know many of the schools involved in Solar Schools and am hugely impressed by its impact on community involvement and how it motivates students".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

All are based on the "economic fallacy" that money is what motivates power in a modern state.

The Guardian - Opinion

Engaging them effectively will require an acknowledgment of the differences among them and an understanding of their context – what motivates, influences and inspires them.

The Guardian

The chaos that we now have, and the distrust of America which motivates Russian policy, stems primarily from decisions taken in Washington 30 years ago.

The Guardian

"Jack is improving all the time, works hard every day and has won the appreciation of everyone around him, so this motivates the team a lot".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "motivates" when you want to emphasize the reason or incentive behind someone's actions. Be specific about what is causing the motivation for greater impact.

Common error

Avoid using "motivates" as a generic term for encouragement. Provide clear context about the specific factors or reasons that drive or inspire the action to maintain clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The word "motivates" functions as a transitive verb, indicating that something or someone is causing another to act. It's used to express the reason or incentive behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "motivates" is a versatile transitive verb used to express the driving force behind actions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It appears frequently across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, as explained in the aiResponseStatus field, it is essential to provide clear context when using "motivates" to avoid vagueness. Alternatives like "inspires", "drives", and "encourages" can offer more specific nuances depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drives

Emphasizes the force that compels action, suggesting a strong impetus.

inspires

Focuses on the uplifting and encouraging aspect, suggesting a positive influence.

encourages

Suggests a gentle persuasion or support, implying less force than "motivates".

prompts

Highlights the action of initiating or triggering a response.

stimulates

Indicates the act of arousing interest or enthusiasm, often in an intellectual context.

actuates

Implies setting something in motion, often in a mechanical or formal sense.

propels

Suggests a forward motion or advancement, often with considerable force.

incites

Indicates stirring up strong emotions or actions, often with a negative connotation.

moves

Implies causing someone to take action due to emotional or persuasive influence.

spurs

Suggests a sudden burst of energy or activity, like a quick incentive.

FAQs

How can I use "motivates" in a sentence?

Use "motivates" to describe what inspires or drives someone to act. For example, "The desire for success "motivates" her to work hard."

What are some alternatives to using "motivates"?

You can use alternatives like "inspires", "drives", or "encourages" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "motivates" and "inspires"?

"Motivates" typically refers to providing a reason or incentive to act, while "inspires" suggests a more uplifting and emotional influence. Motivation can be tangible, while inspiration is often intangible.

Is it correct to say "What motivates you?"

Yes, "What motivates you?" is a grammatically correct and commonly used question to inquire about someone's reasons or driving forces.