incentive

incentive — noun

1. something that provides motivation for a person to take action, often through th

1.名詞B2
釋義

something that provides motivation for a person to take action, often through the promise of a reward or benefit

例句

Working with a top chef was the main incentive for Élise to move to Paris.

incentive for [someone] to [do something]

The chance to lead the new project was enough incentive for Christopher to delay his retirement.

enough incentive for [someone] to [do something]

同義詞
  • motivation

    inner desire rather than an outside offer; more internal and personal

  • encouragement

    softer and more emotional; may not involve a concrete reward

  • spur

    sudden or forceful push to act; often urgent in tone

  • inducement

    formal, often implies persuasion or a tempting offer

反義詞
  • deterrent

    something that discourages or prevents action

  • disincentive

    a factor that makes someone less willing to do something

文法句型

incentive + to-infinitive

incentive + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Often followed by a to-infinitive clause (incentive to do something) or by for + noun phrase (incentive for someone). Common in business, education, and policy contexts.

常見錯誤

❌His incentive for studying was curiosity.
✅His motivation for studying was curiosity.
💡incentive usually refers to an external reward, not an inner drive.
❌The teacher gave the students incentives.
✅The teacher gave the students encouragement.
💡incentive often implies a material or concrete reward, not emotional support.

2. a sum of money or financial benefit given to encourage a specific action, such a

2.名詞B2
釋義

a sum of money or financial benefit given to encourage a specific action, such as working harder, buying a product, or following a government policy

例句

The government introduced a tax incentive for companies that hire young workers.

tax incentive — government financial benefit

Nkechi received a cash incentive after the team reached its annual goal.

同義詞
  • bonus

    extra payment tied to past achievement; less future-oriented than incentive

  • reward

    broader term that can be non-monetary; given after the action

  • premium

    an extra sum paid on top of the usual amount, often in insurance or wages

反義詞
  • penalty

    a financial punishment that discourages unwanted behaviour

  • fine

    a specific sum of money paid as a punishment

文法句型

incentive + to-infinitive

incentive + for + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always refers to money or material benefits rather than abstract motivation. Frequently appears in fixed compounds such as tax incentive, cash incentive, and financial incentive.

常見錯誤

❌The company gave everyone a year-end incentive.
✅The company gave everyone a year-end bonus.
💡a bonus rewards past performance; an incentive is meant to encourage future action.
❌I need an incentive to get out of bed.
✅I need a reason to get out of bed.
💡incentive sounds like a concrete reward; for everyday situations, reason or motivation is more natural.