unmotivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unmotivated" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who lacks motivation or drive to accomplish tasks or goals. Example: "Despite his talent, he remained unmotivated to pursue his dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"That really does feel to me like a shortcoming: we haven't built a product that's easy enough for unmotivated users.

The Guardian - Tech

It's a depressing thought, that our electorate is so unmotivated by the prospect of choosing the least bad leadership that they'd rather emotionally invest in an American campaign rather than their own.

The Guardian

Yet he seems so unmotivated.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The villagers are unmotivated," says Moshi.

The Guardian

Vincent Cassel stars as Mesrine, a figure who combines a smart self-regard with an addiction to notoriety and a seemingly unmotivated blood lust.

The Economist

So it was a thoroughly disheartened and unmotivated French team that met the South African underdogs.

The Economist

Their employees were unmotivated and strikes were frequent.

The Economist

Most of the rest are unmotivated, unreliable, ill-trained, ill-equipped, prone to desertion, even ready to switch sides.

The Economist

Another, identifying who was using water and putting in meters to measure their consumption, was painstakingly time-consuming.Harder still, though, was to improve the quality of the staff (in his words, "underqualified, underpaid, unmotivated and mostly inefficient").

The Economist

Hispanics, usually the least involved of an unmotivated bunch, turned out in force.

The Economist

A fascinating chapter considers the work of a young chess instructor in Brooklyn who turns unmotivated low-income students into chess champions by teaching them new ways to solve problems and recover from failures.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person as "unmotivated", provide context. Explain the area where the lack of motivation is evident to give a clearer picture. For example, "unmotivated at work" or "unmotivated in their studies".

Common error

Avoid assuming that someone "unmotivated" in one area is universally unmotivated. Motivation is often domain-specific; someone might be unmotivated at work but highly motivated in their hobbies.

Linguistic Context

The word "unmotivated" functions primarily as an adjective. It modifies nouns, describing a state of lacking motivation. As Ludwig examples show, it depicts people, teams, or even abstract concepts as missing the drive to achieve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Unknown

7%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unmotivated" serves as an adjective that accurately describes a lack of drive or enthusiasm. As verified by Ludwig, this term is grammatically sound and commonly employed across various forms of written communication. Its applications span from news reports and academic analyses to everyday observations, marking it as a versatile and readily understood descriptor. When using "unmotivated", remember that context is key and avoid broad generalizations. Understanding these nuances helps ensure your writing is both accurate and effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking motivation

Uses a more explicit and descriptive phrase, directly stating the absence of motivation.

without motivation

Similar to "lacking motivation", it emphasizes the absence of motivation as a state.

lacking initiative

Directly points to the absence of a proactive approach, signifying a lack of internal drive.

without impetus

Highlights the absence of a driving force or incentive, leading to a lack of motivation.

dispirited

Focuses on the emotional state of being discouraged, which can lead to a lack of motivation.

apathetic

Highlights a general lack of interest or concern, reflecting a lack of motivation towards specific goals.

listless

Emphasizes a lack of energy and enthusiasm, suggesting a passive form of being unmotivated.

indifferent

Suggests a lack of concern or interest, leading to a lack of motivation to engage.

inert

Implies a lack of action or movement, reflecting a state of being unmotivated to do anything.

idle

Focuses on being inactive and unproductive, related to a lack of motivation to work or engage.

FAQs

How can I use "unmotivated" in a sentence?

You can use "unmotivated" to describe someone lacking the desire or enthusiasm to do something. For example, "The students were "unmotivated" to study for the exam."

What's a good alternative to "unmotivated"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "apathetic", "dispirited", or "lacking initiative".

What causes someone to be "unmotivated"?

A lack of motivation can stem from various factors, including boredom, lack of interest, feeling overwhelmed, or a lack of clear goals. It's often a complex issue with multiple contributing factors.

Is it correct to say someone is "unmotivated" or should I use another term?

The term "unmotivated" is perfectly acceptable and widely understood. Other terms may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you want to convey, but "unmotivated" is a clear and common choice.