motivational

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'motivational' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that serves to motivate someone. For example, you could say: "The inspirational speech was extremely motivational and gave us all the courage to tackle the challenge."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Those properties move an agent to act, and they do so unaided by any additional source of motivation; their motivational power is wholly intrinsic, depending on no desire or disposition of the individual herself.

SEP

Any plausible account of moral motivation will, and must, acknowledge these sources of motivational failure; and any plausible analysis of moral properties must allow for them.

SEP

This time Dekker told her team to play with heart, and, in a gloriously over-the-top motivational speech, started barking that there was "no tomorrow!

The Guardian - Sport

The 10 pages of notes contained a motivational pep talk to himself along with some of his off-the-cuff answers and put-downs.

The Guardian

It's got a sample of the motivational speaker Eric Thomas on it who they met in Melbourne.

The Guardian

The study reveals stark differences in critical motivational factors that distinguish people in senior positions worldwide, which may be preventing women from progressing.

The Guardian

Recognition, politics and desire make for a pretty convincing motivational cocktail.

The Guardian

Do you think motivational quotes are always inspiring, or sometimes actually damaging to a person's drive due to their overuse?

The Guardian

Week 1: Introductory motivational workshop - Tuesday 8th September There will be an extended discussion about the nature and purpose of the course, its etiquette and expectations, and the ambitions and preoccupations of the group.

The Guardian

A "large number" of clients were enlisted for the 10-week trial, with each receiving a series of motivational text messages reminding them to brush their teeth, and asking them to respond with whether they'd brushed today.

The Guardian

More animated faces and motivational slogans like "All right!

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "motivational" in your writing, specify what is being motivated and what the desired outcome is. For example, instead of just saying "motivational speech", consider "motivational speech to improve team performance".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on clichés or generic phrases. While these might seem "motivational" on the surface, they often lack genuine impact and can come across as insincere. Instead, focus on specific, actionable advice or insights tailored to the situation.

Linguistic Context

The word "motivational" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that provides a reason or incentive to act. Ludwig examples show its use in contexts like "motivational speech" and "motivational factors".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "motivational" functions as an adjective, frequently used to describe something that inspires action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It commonly appears in News & Media and Science contexts. The phrase "motivational" shares semantic ground with words like "inspiring" and "encouraging". When writing, it's important to specify what's being motivated. Avoid overusing generic phrases, as they may lack genuine impact. In essence, "motivational" effectively conveys the capacity to spark enthusiasm and drive towards a specific goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inspiring

Focuses more on the effect of stimulating creativity or enthusiasm.

encouraging

Implies giving someone confidence to do something.

incentivizing

Highlights the act of providing an incentive or reward.

stimulating

Emphasizes the aspect of arousing interest or excitement.

driving

Focuses on the force that compels action.

energizing

Suggests a boost of energy or vitality.

uplifting

Conveys a sense of raising spirits or mood.

rousing

Implies stirring up or awakening enthusiasm.

animating

Focuses on bringing to life or making more lively.

propelling

Highlights the act of pushing someone forward.

FAQs

How can I use "motivational" in a sentence?

You can use "motivational" to describe something that inspires or encourages action. For example, "The coach gave a "motivational speech" before the game."

What are some synonyms for "motivational"?

Some synonyms for "motivational" include "inspiring", "encouraging", and "stimulating". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "motivational" or "motivating"?

"Motivational" is an adjective that describes something that provides motivation, while "motivating" is a present participle or gerund that describes the act of motivating. Both can be correct, but their use depends on the sentence structure.

What is the difference between "motivational" and "inspirational"?

While both terms are related, "motivational" emphasizes the drive to take action, whereas "inspirational" focuses on sparking creativity, enthusiasm, or a sense of purpose. Something "motivational" can be "inspirational", and vice versa, but they are not always interchangeable.