that motivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that motivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that inspired or encouraged a particular action or decision. Example: "The success of her first project was the key factor that motivated her to pursue a career in design."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It was not notoriety that motivated her.

The New York Times - Sports

Was there a particular book that motivated you?

The New York Times - Books

It was not exactly feminist rage that motivated her.

The New York Times - Books

But was it really racism that motivated the park's management?

The New York Times

He made me laugh and used words that motivated me.

The New York Times - Sports

E: Yes, it's one of the factors that motivated me.

The Guardian - Books

But he added that conferences could be "pretty substantive," despite the fund-raising that motivated them.

The New York Times

He added: "The British seem unable to understand the principles or ideals that motivated the Americans.

The New York Times - Arts

The cynicism that motivated the U-turns turned voters off in droves.

The Economist

"I'm motivated by the same thing that motivated me when I first started riding," Bailey said.

The New York Times - Sports

Yet it was not only self-interest that motivated the Qataris to offer Al Udeid.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that motivated", ensure the connection between the motivating factor and the subsequent action is clear and logical. A strong, direct link enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "that motivated" with an ambiguous antecedent. Always ensure it's immediately clear what "that" refers to, otherwise the sentence loses clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that motivated" functions as a relative clause, specifically a restrictive (or defining) relative clause. It modifies a noun or noun phrase, providing essential information about what caused a certain action or decision. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that motivated" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to introduce clauses that explain the reason or cause behind an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, ensure the connection between the motivating factor and the resulting action is clear. Alternatives include "that prompted", "that inspired", and "that drove", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Pay special attention to the most common errors in usage. The phrase functions as a relative clause and its primary purpose is to provide context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that prompted

Emphasizes a direct cause-and-effect relationship, suggesting the action followed immediately from the motivating factor.

that inspired

Suggests a more creative or emotional influence, implying the action was driven by enthusiasm or a sense of purpose.

that drove

Implies a strong, forceful impetus behind the action, suggesting a determined effort.

that led to

Focuses on the consequence of the motivating factor, highlighting the outcome.

that spurred

Indicates a sudden burst of energy or enthusiasm that triggered the action.

that encouraged

Suggests a supportive influence that gave someone the confidence to act.

that influenced

Implies a broader impact on the decision-making process, rather than a direct trigger.

that incited

Suggests a provocative stimulus, often implying a more negative or controversial reaction.

that determined

Emphasizes the decisive nature of the motivating factor, indicating it played a crucial role in the outcome.

that triggered

Highlights the initiating event that set off a chain of actions.

FAQs

How can I use "that motivated" in a sentence?

Use "that motivated" to introduce a clause explaining the reason or cause behind an action or decision. For example, "It was the desire for change "that motivated" her to run for office."

What are some alternatives to "that motivated"?

You can use alternatives like "that prompted", "that inspired", or "that drove" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "that motivated" or "which motivated"?

"That motivated" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses that are essential to the meaning of the sentence, while "which motivated" is used for non-restrictive clauses that add extra information. However, in modern usage, "that" is often used in both cases.

What's the difference between "that motivated" and "thereby motivated"?

"That motivated" introduces the cause or reason for something, while "thereby motivated" implies that the motivating factor resulted as a consequence of a previous action. "The new policy increased efficiency, thereby motivated employees."