motivating to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motivating to" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct form would be "motivating for" or "motivating someone to." Example: "The coach is motivating the team to give their best effort in the championship game."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

That's motivating to the employees.

The New York Times

It's so motivating to play here".

The New York Times - Sports

Somehow, intimidating others is motivating to them".

The New York Times

It can be motivating to maintain a running species tally.

The New York Times - Science

"I see him every day, and that's motivating to me," Brands said with disgust.

The New York Times - Sports

It's motivating to be appreciated … There have been some spine-tingling responses".

The Guardian

And I thought about that, and it really was motivating to me.

The New York Times

"I think it was motivating to have those kinds of aspirations, but nobody really took it seriously," Brin told me.

The New Yorker

It may be more motivating to go to the gym to play a game than stand on a solitary machine.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

"It's a great position to be in, but it's now about re-focusing and re-motivating to see what I can get".

BBC

Sign up for Thinkest of VICE, delivered THRIVEr inbox dasly.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always double-check your preposition after "motivating". While "motivating to" is commonly used, "motivating for" is generally considered grammatically correct. Consider also replacing "motivating" with "inspiring to" or "encouraging to".

Common error

A frequent error is using "to" instead of "for" after "motivating". Remember that "motivating" usually requires "for" to correctly link the cause and effect. Double-check and correct to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivating to" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, aiming to describe something that provides incentive or encouragement. However, Ludwig AI flags this particular construction as not following standard English grammar.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "motivating to" is frequently used across various contexts such as news, science and wikis, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. According to Ludwig AI, the correct form is typically "motivating for". Alternatives such as "inspiring to" or "encouraging to" may also be suitable depending on the intended meaning. When writing, particularly in formal settings, it is advisable to use "motivating for" or another alternative to ensure grammatical accuracy and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivating for

Replaces 'to' with 'for' to correct a common grammatical error.

inspiring to

Substitutes "motivating" with "inspiring" to convey a slightly different nuance of encouragement.

encouraging to

Uses "encouraging" instead of "motivating", focusing on the act of giving someone confidence.

incentivizing to

Replaces "motivating" with "incentivizing", highlighting the use of rewards or benefits.

a stimulus for

Changes the structure to a noun phrase emphasizing the role as a stimulant.

a reason to

Shifts the focus to providing a rationale or justification.

a catalyst for

Presents the phrase as something that initiates or accelerates a change.

driving force behind

Emphasizes the power and influence behind an action or decision.

cause to

Indicates the reason for something happening or someone's action.

impetus for

Highlights the initial force or motivation behind something.

FAQs

What preposition should I use after the word "motivating"?

The correct preposition to use after "motivating" is generally "for". Using "to" is a common mistake. For example, it is better to say "This reward is "motivating for" employees" instead of "This reward is motivating to employees."

What can I say instead of "motivating to"?

Alternatives include "motivating for", "inspiring to", or "encouraging to", depending on the context and intended meaning.

Which is correct, "motivating to" or "motivating for"?

"Motivating for" is typically considered grammatically correct in standard English. While "motivating to" is often used, it is generally advised to use "for" instead. For example, "The new policy is "motivating for" the team."

Is "motivating to" ever appropriate in formal writing?

While "motivating to" appears in some contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing. Opt for "motivating for" or other alternatives to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. For instance, "The challenge was "motivating for" the students" is preferable.