were motivated by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were motivated by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the reasons or driving factors behind someone's actions or decisions in the past. Example: "The researchers were motivated by a desire to improve public health outcomes in their community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

These donors were motivated by altruism.

The New Yorker

They were motivated by curiosity".

The Guardian

"We were motivated by that," Wynalda says.

The Guardian - Sport

We were motivated by justice and human rights.

The Guardian

"They were motivated by religion," Mr. Selosse told me once.

The New York Times - Food

They were motivated by the quest for knowledge.

The New York Times

Neither were motivated by profit, but by different brands of political activism.

The Guardian - Tech

"Every one of them said they were motivated by Palin," Mr. Bunting said.

The New York Times

The détente worked when most researchers were motivated by acclaim and a desire to improve security.

The New York Times - Tech

The 1969-70 Knicks and this season's Pistons were motivated by season-ending playoff defeats.

The New York Times

Mark Constant, a Lehman analyst, said he thought the Janus executives were motivated by investment judgment.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the subtle connotations of related terms. For example, "inspired by" suggests a positive influence, while "driven by" can imply a more forceful or even negative impetus.

Common error

Avoid vague or overly broad statements about what motivated a group. Be specific and provide concrete details to support your claim. For example, instead of saying "They were motivated by success", specify "They were motivated by the prospect of increased market share and recognition within the industry."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were motivated by" functions as a passive construction indicating causation. It highlights the reason or influence that prompted a particular action or behavior. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where actions are directly linked to specific motivating factors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "were motivated by" is a versatile and grammatically sound construct used to express the reasons behind actions or decisions. As Ludwig AI confirms, its frequent occurrence in news, scientific, and formal business contexts demonstrates its broad applicability. While semantically similar alternatives like "were driven by" or "were inspired by" exist, "were motivated by" offers a neutral tone suitable for various communication styles. Remember to clearly identify both the influenced subject and the source of motivation for optimal clarity. By avoiding vagueness and focusing on specific details, you can effectively convey the underlying causes driving behavior and decisions. Ludwig's analysis highlights the importance of considering these nuances for precise and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were driven by

Emphasizes a strong, compelling force behind the motivation.

were inspired by

Suggests motivation stemming from a source of creativity or admiration.

were influenced by

Indicates motivation resulting from external factors or people.

were prompted by

Suggests motivation arising from a specific event or instigation.

were compelled by

Highlights a sense of obligation or necessity driving the motivation.

were led by

Focuses on guidance or direction as the source of motivation.

were actuated by

Implies a direct cause-and-effect relationship regarding the motivation.

were spurred by

Indicates a sudden impetus or encouragement leading to motivation.

were encouraged by

Suggests motivation fostered by positive reinforcement or support.

were determined by

Highlights that motivation was set or decided upon by something.

FAQs

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

The phrase "were motivated by" is used to explain the reasons behind someone's actions. For example, "The volunteers "were motivated by" a desire to help their community."

What are some alternatives to "were motivated by"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were driven by", "were inspired by", or "were influenced by" to express similar meanings.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "motivate"?

While both active and passive voices are grammatically correct, passive voice (e.g., "were motivated by") is often used when the actor is less important than the recipient of the action or when the actor is unknown. Active voice (e.g., "Ambition motivated them") emphasizes the actor.

What's the difference between "were motivated by" and "were influenced by"?

"Were motivated by" typically implies a direct and intentional cause for action. "Were influenced by", on the other hand, suggests a more indirect or subtle effect that shaped their actions or decisions.