motivation to excel

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motivation to excel" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to the drive or desire to achieve success and perform at a high level. Example: "Her strong motivation to excel in her studies led her to spend countless hours studying and practicing, resulting in her achieving straight A's."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"I've still got motivation to excel against Washington, and now I can add Philadelphia to the list because both teams just let me walk.

The New York Times - Sports

Many staff did not have doctorates, lecturers were given jobs for life with no motivation to excel and all promotion was internal.

The Economist

She can be tickled about it now because, as she said, the instruction to play better, the motivation to excel, the understanding of the game and the attempt to fulfill her potential have been elicited from her father.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

While various countries have adopted a no-fail policy, it remains a controversial topic as many parents and educators feel that it has a negative impact on student motivation and reduces the desire to excel (Halligan 2011).

Language Testing in Asia

And the fact that you are the first generation in many to enter a workforce and economy that is not handing you success on a silver platter gives you the motivation not just to survive, but to excel.

Huffington Post

The acquisition of these and other information literacy skills increases students' motivation to pursue research and prepares them to excel in graduate school, medical school, and research laboratories (Kozeracki et al., 2006; Hoskins et al., 2007).

CBE Life Sciences Education

From "the working class character" with its "laziness" and "lack of motivation," to Muslim culture and its "penchant for isolationism," our system seems to excel in the creation of scapegoats.

Huffington Post

And yet, they continued to excel and to seek increased responsibility for its own sake, proving that their motivation stemmed from a deep desire to selflessly serve, rather than a reliance on recognition.

Huffington Post

A key qualitative study in this area conducted by McCabe et al. (1999) found that common motivations for student engagement in academic dishonesty include pressure to get higher grades, a desire to excel, lack of preparation and pressure to gain employment upon completion of study.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

She strove to excel.

The New York Times

He is driven to excel.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "motivation to excel" with specific goals or areas of focus to provide context and clarity. For example, "Her motivation to excel in mathematics drove her to practice daily".

Common error

Avoid attributing "motivation to excel" solely to external pressures if the person also has a genuine passion or internal drive. Acknowledge both intrinsic and extrinsic factors for a more balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivation to excel" functions as a noun phrase describing the reason or incentive behind striving for high achievement or superior performance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivation to excel" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase denoting the drive or incentive to achieve high performance. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its common occurrence in news, media, and scientific sources. Related phrases like "drive to achieve" and "aspiration to excel" offer nuanced alternatives, while understanding common errors can help refine usage. Remember to emphasize both inner drive and external factors, and combine "motivation to excel" with specifics to provide context and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inner drive for excellence

Emphasizes an internal source of motivation for superior quality.

aspiration to excel

Indicates a high-level goal or ambition for superior performance.

drive to achieve

Focuses more on the underlying force pushing towards accomplishment.

ambition to succeed

Emphasizes a strong desire for successful outcomes.

passion for success

Highlights the emotional investment in achieving positive results.

determination to thrive

Highlights resilience and a commitment to flourishing.

desire to exceed expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated performance levels.

eagerness to improve

Stresses a proactive attitude toward self-betterment.

incentive to achieve

Points to external factors that encourage high performance.

yearning to flourish

Implies a deep desire for growth and prosperity.

FAQs

How can I use "motivation to excel" in a sentence?

You can use "motivation to excel" to describe someone's inner drive to achieve high performance, such as, "His strong motivation to excel in his career led him to pursue advanced certifications".

What's a good substitute for "motivation to excel"?

Alternatives include "drive to achieve", "aspiration to excel", or "inner drive for excellence", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "motivated to excel" instead of "motivation to excel"?

"Motivated to excel" describes a state of being influenced or driven by something, while "motivation to excel" refers to the general reason or impetus behind striving for high achievement. They are both correct but have slightly different meanings.

What factors contribute to someone's "motivation to excel"?

Factors can include personal goals, external rewards, recognition, a desire for self-improvement, or a combination of these.