motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

'motivation' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an incentive that encourages someone to do something. For example, "The company is offering bonuses as motivation for its employees to reach their goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The reason this final part is restricted to working parents (much to the anger of those who are lobbying for stay-at-home-mothers) is that this policy has a different motivation.

The Guardian - Opinion

It was that last motivation which led to his downfall.

The Guardian - Tech

Both have given me the motivation and confidence to carry on my work and to spread the message on to other people.

The Guardian

Where is the motivation to take on a school that's below floor targets?" "There are so many entrenched cultural issues.

The Guardian

Egypt's state information service denied any political motivation behind the arrests.

The Guardian

"Plenty of people thought Mike Ashley shouldn't need any more motivation, given his huge shareholding in the company, so presumably that is what will keep him going from now on.

The Guardian - Business

Prospective students need to show compassion and motivation, she says: "When people are in pain it's not easy to get them moving.

The Guardian

Turnbull revealed he had quickly sent a message to Palmer that he should "man up and apologise" and also called him to deliver the same message "in no uncertain terms" and that when he had been asked to write an opinion piece for a newspaper on the subject, he had asked Credlin's view before declining, because his primary motivation had been to spare her any further pain.

The Guardian

But I think her true motivation had more to do with aesthetics – using available light to dramatise the subject with the infinite gradations of grey between pure black and white provided the subtlety that was her stock in trade.

The Guardian - Arts

"But money has never been his motivation, he just wants to enjoy what he's doing and that's what he has here.

The Guardian - Sport

In order to take on the work and risk necessary to spearhead a march or an occupation, you need a real motivation, a stake, a reason to believe that things must change and that only you can do it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "motivation", clearly specify what is motivating the subject. For example, instead of just saying "He lacks motivation", state "He lacks motivation to study for the exam".

Common error

Be careful not to frame "motivation" as coercion. Ensure the incentive respects autonomy and avoids undue pressure. Offering opportunities is motivation; threatening consequences is manipulation.

Linguistic Context

The noun "motivation" primarily functions as a subject or object in sentences, denoting the reason or reasons one has for acting or behaving in a particular way. Ludwig provides examples showing how it is used to express the driving force behind actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "motivation" is a very common noun that signifies the driving force behind actions and behaviors. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adheres to standard grammatical rules and finds frequent application across diverse contexts such as news, business, and academic discussions. Usage ranges from explaining individual actions to analyzing broader social phenomena. When using "motivation", it is important to specify the subject being motivated and be mindful of potential misinterpretations. Related terms include "driving force", "incentive" and "purpose", offering nuanced ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inner drive

Focuses on the internal, personal force that compels action.

driving force

Emphasizes the energy and impetus behind an action or decision.

incentive

Highlights the reward or benefit that encourages action.

underlying reason

Focuses on the fundamental cause or justification for something.

stimulus

Implies something that provokes or encourages activity or development.

inspiration

Suggests a creative or emotional influence that spurs action.

purpose

Stresses the aim or intended result of an action.

determination

Highlights the resolve and firmness of purpose driving someone.

reasoning

Emphasizes the logical justification behind an action or belief.

goal

Highlights the desired outcome that prompts action.

FAQs

How to use "motivation" in a sentence?

You can use "motivation" to describe the reason behind someone's actions, as in "His main motivation was to help others", or to describe the force that drives someone, as in "She has a strong motivation to succeed".

What can I say instead of "motivation"?

You can use alternatives like "driving force", "incentive", or "purpose" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "motivation" or "motivations"?

Both are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Motivation" refers to the general reason or drive behind someone's actions, while "motivations" refers to specific reasons or drives. For example, "His motivation was to achieve success" versus "His motivations included money and recognition".

What's the difference between "motivation" and "inspiration"?

"Motivation" is the driving force behind an action, while "inspiration" is a creative or emotional influence that spurs action. "Inspiration" often sparks the initial desire, while "motivation" sustains the effort.