What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
bonus
Example
The company gave all its employees a year-end bonus as a reward for their hard work. [bonus: noun]
Example
She received a bonus for exceeding her sales target for the month. [bonus: noun]
incentive
Example
The company offers a cash incentive to employees who refer qualified candidates for job openings. [incentive: noun]
Example
The promise of a promotion served as an incentive for him to work harder and improve his performance. [incentive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bonus is more commonly used than incentive in everyday language, especially in the context of employment and rewards for performance. Incentive is a more specialized term often used in business or motivational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between bonus and incentive?
While both bonus and incentive can be used in formal and informal contexts, bonus is generally more commonly used and understood by a wider audience, making it more versatile in different levels of formality.
