What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
inspire
Example
Her paintings inspired me to take up art. [inspired: past tense]
Example
The speaker's words inspired the audience to take action. [inspired: verb]
motivate
Example
The promise of a reward motivated him to work harder. [motivated: past tense]
Example
She is motivated to succeed in her career. [motivated: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Motivate is more commonly used than inspire in everyday language. Motivate is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while inspire is less common and often used in creative or artistic contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between inspire and motivate?
Both inspire and motivate can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but motivate may be slightly more formal due to its association with professional or personal development.
