Ready to invest effort because a goal or reason matters.
Reach for it when describing a person whose willingness to act is already present
The motivated interns asked for ownership of the hardest research questions.
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| warm | |
| professional |
|
| formal |
playful
Fits when high, visible excitement fits the occasion
Careful Avoid it when motivation is quiet, thoughtful, or appropriate for a formal evaluation.
everyday
Fits when positive excitement is the clearest quality
Careful Enthusiasm can be expressive but fleeting, so it is weaker evidence of action.
warm
Fits when enthusiasm to begin is more visible than proven persistence
Careful Eagerness at the start does not show disciplined follow-through.
warm
Suits concise, friendly praise of readiness and interest
Careful This register is less natural in American formal writing and says little about endurance.
professional
Fits when loyalty to a goal continues despite inconvenience
Careful Commitment may be principled and steady without energetic desire.
professional
Fits when ambition and internal pressure produce sustained effort
Careful Driven can imply imbalance or competitiveness when the person is simply willing and engaged.
professional
self-starting
Suits someone who begins useful work without close prompting
Careful Starting without prompting reveals little about whether motivation will last.
formal
Fits when the person aims for demanding advancement or achievement
Careful Ambition concerns the height of the goal and can sound self-focused.
highly motivated
A highly motivated applicant still needs clear priorities and support.
motivated team
The motivated team proposed its own schedule for the final sprint.
motivated to learn
She remained motivated to learn after the first experiment failed.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated
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