undermine motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undermine motivation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing actions or behaviors that negatively affect someone's drive or enthusiasm to achieve a goal. Example: "Constant criticism can undermine motivation and lead to decreased productivity among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

And although too little research has been done on the extent of the harm it can do, it is thought to raise the risk of schizophrenia and undermine motivation.

The Economist

There is much that we can support in Tuesday's announcement, but the real test of whether the proposals enhance rather than undermine motivation and morale will not be seen until the practical detail of implementation emerges.

The Guardian

In addition, a growing number of critics are asking some probing questions: Is gamification just a rehash of old ideas, how does it work, might it be exploitative, could it actually undermine motivation and won't it trigger addiction?

BBC

For new employees, "negative feedback, even if it's constructive, could be insulting and undermine motivation by suggesting that they aren't very good and can't do the job," said Ayelet Fishbach, professor of behavioural science and marketing at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business and co-author of the study.

BBC

She might have been able to remind the First Lady that there are numerous contextual forces at play that can undermine motivation, dedication, and opportunities, and that those factors must be addressed.

Huffington Post

Their reluctance to face up to the imminent risk may undermine motivation towards early diagnosis.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The frustration this has caused is laid bare in the interview departing Monitor chief executive David Bennett gave to HSJ (paywall), in which he complained that Hunt's constant interference was undermining motivation and creating a dependency culture among NHS leaders.

The Guardian

Alternatively, higher genetic risk test results may induce a sense of genetic fatalism that undermines motivation to change behavior (21).

Diabetes Care

However, lower risk results may have the unintended consequence of undermining motivation to adopt healthy lifestyle changes.

Diabetes Care

This evidence strongly supports the view that external motivations often undermine intrinsic motivations, which per se sustain effort and performance, resulting ineffective or even counterproductive.

Plosone

Psychologists and economists have recognized the importance of intrinsic motivation and begun to try understanding how external interventions, such as regulation or certification, can either reinforce or undermine intrinsic motivation (Frey 1994).

Agricultural and Food Economics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing strategies to improve performance, consider what factors might "undermine motivation" and address those proactively. For example, ensure feedback is constructive and not overly critical.

Common error

Be cautious about assuming that all incentives will "undermine motivation". While some external rewards can diminish intrinsic motivation, well-designed incentive programs can actually enhance engagement and performance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undermine motivation" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "undermine" acts as a transitive verb taking "motivation" as its direct object. As confirmed by Ludwig, it describes the act of weakening or diminishing someone's desire to do something.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "undermine motivation" is a versatile and commonly used verb phrase that describes actions or factors that weaken someone's drive or enthusiasm. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in a variety of contexts, including news, science, and business. While incentives, poor infrastructure, and negative feedback are frequently cited for contributing to this phenomenon, being aware of the potential for actions to "undermine motivation" can help to promote productive environments. Consider alternatives like "erode motivation" or "diminish motivation" to add nuance to your writing. Effective communication and proactive strategies are essential in preventing circumstances where motivation can be compromised.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

erode motivation

Similar meaning, focuses on the gradual weakening of motivation.

diminish motivation

Indicates a reduction in the level of motivation.

weaken motivation

Emphasizes the reduction of motivational strength.

reduce enthusiasm

Focuses on decreasing the level of enthusiasm, a component of motivation.

sap motivation

Suggests a gradual depletion of motivational energy.

kill motivation

Highlights the complete destruction of motivation.

stifle motivation

Implies suppressing or restraining motivation.

discourage motivation

Indicates actions that deter or dissuade motivation.

impair motivation

Suggests damaging or weakening the effectiveness of motivation.

hamper motivation

Focuses on hindering or impeding the progress of motivation.

FAQs

How can I use "undermine motivation" in a sentence?

You can use "undermine motivation" to describe actions or conditions that weaken someone's drive. For example: "Constant criticism can "undermine motivation" and productivity."

What are some synonyms for "undermine motivation"?

Alternatives include "erode motivation", "diminish motivation", or "weaken motivation".

Which is correct, "undermine motivation" or "undermining motivation"?

"Undermine motivation" is a verb phrase, while "undermining motivation" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the grammatical structure of your sentence. For example, "Poor management can "undermine motivation"", versus "Undermining motivation leads to decreased productivity."

What's the difference between "undermine motivation" and "boost motivation"?

"Undermine motivation" refers to weakening or decreasing someone's drive, whereas "boost motivation" means to increase or strengthen it. They are antonyms.