prime incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prime incentive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main or most important motivation behind an action or decision. Example: "The prime incentive for the company's expansion was to increase market share and profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Mr. Bailey and his partners expect the prime incentive to new tenants or owners to be the low cost.

The New York Times

Global Entry also automatically bumps its members into the PreCheck program — and that was a prime incentive for me to join.

The New York Times

And they say a decision not to share any new oil royalties with the states eliminates a prime incentive for states to say yes to drilling.

The New York Times

Consumers on average spend more time and money on auction sites, a prime incentive for advertisers online.

Forbes

The new Amazon Prime incentive was largely unpopular with RetailWire's BrainTrust of retailing experts, who took on the topic in an online discussion earlier this week.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Gaining much needed cash and operating efficiency are prime incentives for municipalities to undertake such transactions.

The New York Times

The self-report data show that AMPH had primed incentive motivation to gamble in these Ss.

Nature

It's challenging because it means letting go of cash as the prime motivator and tangling with the difficult task of redesigning incentives.

Forbes

Future training was mentioned as the prime non-financial incentive.

Human Resources for Health

The activation or priming of an incentive motivational system operates to suppress other motivational systems as well as irrelevant activities and cues (Konorski, 1967; Kostowski, 2002).

Nature

Because of their leverage over employees, corporate managers are prime targets for incentives to control corporate crime, even when managers do not themselves commit crimes.

Duke University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "prime incentive", ensure it clearly identifies the most significant motivating factor, avoiding ambiguity with secondary incentives.

Common error

Avoid using "prime incentive" when multiple incentives hold nearly equal weight. Instead, consider "significant incentives" or list them individually.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prime incentive" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies the most important reason or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "prime incentive" is a grammatically correct phrase used to denote the most significant motivating factor behind an action. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. While not exceedingly common, the phrase appears across various contexts, including news media, science, and business. It's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring it truly represents the primary driver and avoiding overuse when multiple incentives exist. Alternatives like "key motivator" or "main driver" can be used depending on the nuance you want to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

key motivator

Substitutes "incentive" with "motivator", highlighting psychological drive.

overriding motivation

Highlights that the motivation is the most important one.

main driver

Replaces "incentive" with a more direct term emphasizing causation.

chief inducement

Uses a more formal term, "inducement", for incentive.

major encouragement

Expresses incentive with the term "encouragement", used especially when persuading someone to do something.

principal reason

Shifts focus from incentive to the underlying reason for action.

biggest draw

Replaces "incentive" with a more colloquial term, highlighting attractiveness.

primary impetus

Emphasizes the initial force or energy behind an action.

core stimulus

Replaces "incentive" with the term "stimulus", to highlight what triggers the behaviour.

fundamental urge

Conveys a more instinctive or basic motivation.

FAQs

What does "prime incentive" mean?

The phrase "prime incentive" refers to the main or most important reason or motivation for doing something. It highlights the key factor driving a particular action or decision.

How can I use "prime incentive" in a sentence?

You can use "prime incentive" to describe the primary motivating factor behind an action. For example: "The prime incentive for the company's expansion was to increase market share."

What are some alternatives to "prime incentive"?

Alternatives to "prime incentive" include "key motivator", "main driver", or "principal reason". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to use "prime incentive" or "primary incentive"?

Both "prime incentive" and "primary incentive" are grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. However, "prime incentive" might subtly suggest a higher degree of importance or dominance compared to "primary incentive".