provide incentive

USAGE SUMMARY

"provide incentive" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when you want to suggest that something should be done to encourage a particular behavior or action. For example: The company decided to provide incentives to employees who exceed their sales targets.

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

To that end, the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH), authorized the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services CMSS) to provide incentive payments to eligible providers who successfully demonstrate "meaningful use" of EHRs--including the use of CDS [ 35].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Those conditions, he said, included a free market, price structures that provide incentive to innovation and respect for intellectual property.

The New York Times - Magazine

Tells about another contentious board meeting at which an Employee of the Week award was created to provide incentive to the staff.

The New Yorker

Blazer said the contract was part of his "overall compensation package" and a successful formula to "provide incentive and results" when the confederation had no income.

The New York Times - Sports

Donald Shoup, a parking expert at the University of California, Los Angeles, said San Francisco's plan would provide incentive for using mass transit and discourage those searching for the perfect — and cheap — spot.

The New York Times

Mr. Coughlin added in the statement that "in a professional services business such as ours, it's necessary to provide incentive pay to top performers in order to retain and attract the best talent".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

These will provide incentive-based payments for hospitals that meet certain standards or improve performance.

The Guardian

So we provide incentives to lend.

The New Yorker

That could provide incentives to the press.

The Guardian

The truth is governments need to provide incentives for growth and we've done that".

The Guardian

It will not happen automatically or easily, but these projects provide incentives for coöperation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to motivate specific behaviors within a team, consider using a tiered system of incentives. This approach can cater to varying levels of performance and encourage continuous improvement.

Common error

Avoid solely relying on external rewards. Consider that intrinsic motivation, stemming from personal enjoyment or a sense of purpose, can be a stronger and more sustainable driver. Integrate opportunities for personal growth and recognition to tap into this motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide incentive" functions as a verb phrase, where "provide" is the verb and "incentive" is the direct object. It indicates the action of supplying something that encourages a particular behavior or action. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable part of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

54%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provide incentive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a verb phrase to describe the action of offering something to encourage a specific behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a correct and usable part of a sentence. It is applicable in diverse contexts, including science, news, and formal business settings. To promote specific behaviors, consider strategies like tiered incentive systems. Remember to think beyond purely external motivations by integrating opportunities for growth and recognition. When constructing your sentences, consider the nuance of the alternative phrasing, and the best register to match the purpose of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

encourage action

This alternative uses a more direct verb, focusing on the act of encouragement itself.

motivate behavior

This alternative focuses on the psychological aspect of motivation, suggesting a deeper influence on behavior.

stimulate interest

This phrase highlights the aspect of arousing interest as a means of prompting action.

foster motivation

This alternative emphasizes the development and nurturing of motivation over time.

create impetus

This phrase is more formal, suggesting the creation of a driving force or momentum.

give impetus to

Slightly more verbose and formal, focusing on imparting momentum.

offer inducement

This alternative suggests a more transactional approach, offering something in exchange for a desired behavior.

spur on

This is a more informal and dynamic way to express encouragement towards an action.

prompt action

This alternative directly focuses on causing or initiating a specific action.

serve as stimulus

This option frames the incentive as a trigger or cause for a particular response.

FAQs

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

You can use "provide incentive" to indicate the act of offering something that encourages a particular action or behavior. For example, "The company decided to "provide incentive" to employees who exceed their sales targets."

What are some alternatives to "provide incentive"?

Alternatives to "provide incentive" include "encourage action", "motivate behavior", or "stimulate interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to "provide incentive" or "offer incentive"?

"Provide incentive" and "offer incentive" are largely interchangeable. However, "provide incentive" might suggest a more established or ongoing system, while "offer incentive" could imply a one-time or limited-time offer.

What is the difference between "incentive" and "motivation"?

"Incentive" is something external that prompts action, while "motivation" is an internal drive or desire. You "provide incentive" to increase someone's motivation.