What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
incentive
Example
The company offered a bonus as an incentive for employees to meet their sales targets. [incentive: noun]
Example
The promise of a promotion was the incentive she needed to work harder. [incentive: noun]
motivation
Example
Her passion for music was her motivation to pursue a career in the industry. [motivation: noun]
Example
He motivated himself to study harder by setting achievable goals. [motivated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Motivation is more commonly used than incentive in everyday language. Motivation is a broader term that covers a wide range of contexts, while incentive is more specific and often used in business or economic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between incentive and motivation?
Incentive is often associated with a formal or professional tone, while motivation can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
