we were motivated

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were motivated" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that a group of people felt inspired or driven to take action or achieve something in the past. Example: "After hearing the success stories from previous participants, we were motivated to join the program and make a difference in our community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Yeah, we were motivated," Jordan said.

The New York Times - Sports

"We were motivated by that," Wynalda says.

The Guardian - Sport

We were motivated by justice and human rights.

The Guardian

"I think we were motivated to just beat them," Celtics Coach Jim O'Brien said.

The New York Times - Sports

We saw a chance to win back the White House, and we were motivated beyond belief.

The New York Times

"We were motivated by issues of the downturn and feeling that art was being discussed as a frill," she recalled.

The New York Times - Arts

"Because the 55,000-square-foot building in Ronkonkoma was all rented within a short time, we were motivated to build another," Mr. O'Shea said.

The New York Times

We were motivated by a fact which the wise heads in Bali have somehow missed: if fossil fuels are extracted, they will be used.

The Guardian - Opinion

Calabrese went on, "We were motivated by the fact that there are companies trying to sell this technology to the government.

The New Yorker

Two said the fact of Janner being a Jew was unrelated to our article and suggested we were motivated by anti-Semitism.

Independent

We were motivated by enthusiasm for our mission and eagerness to bring Good Eggs to more people.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were motivated", clearly state what motivated you. Providing context strengthens the sentence and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who did the motivating. Instead of "we were motivated", consider specifying the source of motivation: "The positive feedback motivated us to continue."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were motivated" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state of being of the subject "we". It indicates that the group experienced a feeling of being driven or inspired to act, as supported by examples from Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we were motivated" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to describe a group's feeling of being driven or inspired to act. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and versatility, supported by numerous examples across news, scientific, and business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what motivated you. While alternatives like "we were inspired" or "we were driven" exist, the choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Overall, "we were motivated" is a reliable and effective way to explain the reasons behind past actions or decisions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were driven

Highlights a strong internal force pushing toward a goal.

we were inspired

Suggests an external source sparked the motivation, implying a positive influence.

we felt compelled

Emphasizes a sense of obligation or necessity, suggesting less choice in the matter.

we were encouraged

Implies someone or something provided support and confidence to act.

we were impelled

Similar to compelled, but can suggest a more sudden or urgent feeling.

we found ourselves motivated

Emphasizes the unexpected or gradual realization of the motivation.

we felt a desire

Highlights the internal longing that sparked the actions.

we had an incentive

Focuses on an external reward or benefit as the source of motivation.

we were stimulated

Indicates that something excited or aroused interest, leading to action.

we were keen

Highlights enthusiasm and eagerness as the driving force.

FAQs

What does "we were motivated" mean?

The phrase "we were motivated" indicates that a group of people experienced a driving force or inspiration that led them to take action or pursue a goal.

How can I use "we were motivated" in a sentence?

You can use "we were motivated" to explain the reason behind a decision or action. For example: "We were motivated by the desire to improve our community."

What can I say instead of "we were motivated"?

You can use alternatives like "we were inspired", "we were driven", or "we felt compelled" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "we were motivated" or "we are motivated"?

The choice depends on the timing. "We were motivated" describes a past feeling, while "we are motivated" describes a current state of being. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the situation.