motivating

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'motivating' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something, such as an action, event, or emotion, that causes or encourages someone to do something. Example Sentence: His inspiring speech was incredibly motivating, and it inspired me to take on a new challenge.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most often, we see the exact opposite – that student's homelessness is motivating them to get out of homelessness, to concentrate on their studies, to be as successful as possible.

The Guardian - Money

But many Poles have felt that the benefits of that growth have been reaped by only a small minority of people, with low wages and job insecurity still motivating many to seek a better life abroad.

The Guardian

It made me realise that the bunch of managerial carrots which include positive assertions, directions, estimations, recognitions and, crucially, celebrations, was infinitely preferable to motivating sceptical, harried academics, or put upon administrators, with the flaccid stick of shame.

The Guardian

'Some man, that Cantona.'" Cantona may have used his words sparingly while motivating team-mates, but he was never short of a quote when asked to describe his relationship with the club: "I am in love with Manchester United.

The Guardian - Sport

What made you focus your book True Face on appealing, motivating and inspiring girls, rather than both genders?

The Guardian

In some cases they are motivating residents to support him in the upcoming by-election.

The Economist

That's the basic question motivating plans to develop grand culture centres in otherwise derelict urban neighbourhoods.

The Economist

The same logic, however, is currently motivating policy in the Conservative-led government of America's former colonial master.

The Economist

The arrangement is relatively free of ambiguities about purpose, and there is less temptation either to chase short-term results or to use the very long term as a sentimental excuse for indulgence.Central to all this is private equity's way of attracting first-rate executives and then motivating and monitoring them.

The Economist

The fear of frivolous lawsuits plays a big part in motivating doctors to conduct "unnecessary" tests.

The Economist

The authors hypothesize that "[c]onsumers seem to believe that closing off debt accounts, regardless of balance size, is important in motivating them to persist in the goal of eliminating their debts", which implies that an individual may have a higher probability of repaying loans by focusing on the size of the debts rather than that of the interest rates.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "motivating", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being motivated and the desired outcome. For example, "motivating employees to achieve higher sales targets".

Common error

Avoid presenting "motivating" as a universal solution without addressing underlying issues. For example, simply "motivating" underperforming employees without providing adequate training or resources is unlikely to be effective.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "motivating" is to act as a present participle of the verb "motivate", often functioning as an adjective modifying a noun. Ludwig AI examples highlight its use in describing something that provides incentive or drives action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivating" functions both as a present participle and an adjective, denoting the act of instilling a desire or reason to act. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, primarily in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, ensure that the context clearly indicates who or what is being motivated and the desired outcome. Common alternatives include "inspiring", "encouraging", and "incentivizing", each offering nuanced shades of meaning. Remember, simply "motivating" is rarely a standalone solution; addressing underlying issues is crucial for effective results.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspiring

Focuses on the emotional or intellectual stimulation that encourages action.

incentivizing

Emphasizes the provision of rewards or benefits to encourage specific behaviors.

encouraging

Suggests a milder form of motivation, providing support and confidence.

driving force behind

Highlights the fundamental cause or impetus for an action or decision.

stimulating

Implies a boost in energy or interest that leads to increased activity.

actuating

Focuses on initiating action or setting something in motion.

prompting

Suggests a gentle push or reminder to take action.

impelling

Indicates a strong, often irresistible, force that compels action.

underlying reason

Highlights a more fundamental or less obvious factor contributing to motivation.

catalyzing

Implies accelerating the action.

FAQs

How can I use "motivating" in a sentence?

"Motivating" can be used as a verb form (present participle) or as an adjective. For example, "The coach is "motivating" the team" (verb) or "The company offered a "motivating" bonus structure" (adjective).

What are some alternatives to the word "motivating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "inspiring", "encouraging", or "incentivizing".

What's the difference between "motivating" and "inspiring"?

"Motivating" generally refers to providing a reason or incentive to do something, while "inspiring" focuses on eliciting a strong emotional response that encourages action.

Is it correct to say "motivating factor"?

Yes, "motivating factor" is a commonly used phrase to describe a reason or influence that drives someone to act. You might also consider "driving force behind" as alternative in same situations.