---
title: motivation — school dictionary · trees and pragmatics
description: «motivation» in the school dictionary: The wish or energy to do something and keep trying. Every meaning for a pupil with its dependency tree and pragmatics.
---

<!-- md -->
[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motivation/)

<!-- crumbs -->
[home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/) / [school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/) / [M](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/) / motivation

# motivation

<!-- .vintro -->
**Who acts:** reason, I, Winning, motivation, teacher, Hunger · **What happens:** do, keep, try, give, encourage, lose · **To what, where:** something, reason, action, motivation, piano, cup

<!-- .vabout -->
«motivation» in the school dictionary: its 3 meanings for a pupil and its 7 examples, every sentence parsed by Mova itself — its syntax tree, a dependency tree in the style of Universal Dependencies, and its pragmatics clause by clause. The word in the dictionary, with its sense in the lessons: [motivation in the school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/motivation.md).

## Meaning 1 {#m1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The wish or energy to do something and keep trying.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:m1:1
# text = The wish or energy to do something and keep trying.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	wish	wish	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	4	cc	_	_
4	energy	energy	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	conj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	do	do	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	acl	_	_
7	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	6	obj	_	_
8	and	and	CCONJ	CC	_	9	cc	_	_
9	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	6	conj	_	_
10	trying	try	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** | to-infinitive |  | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |
| 2 | **keep** | infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 3 | **try** | gerund |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn amuse-31.1 «NP V ADV-Middle»: agent=Experiencer |

<!-- .note -->
One row per clause the reader finds. «not said here»: a role filled from the clause above. «roles by»: a VerbNet class and frame when one fits the verb, else the reader's rules on the tree.

## Meaning 2 {#m2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
A reason for doing something.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:m2:1
# text = A reason for doing something.
1	A	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	reason	reason	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
3	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	4	mark	_	_
4	doing	do	VERB	VBG	VerbForm=Ger	2	acl	_	_
5	something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	4	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **do** | gerund | a reason *not said here* | something |  |  |  |  | vn act-114-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent something=Eventuality |

## Meaning 3 {#m3}

<!-- .note -->
Usage: formal — kept apart, not parsed.

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Something that gives a reason or encourages action.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:m3:1
# text = Something that gives a reason or encourages action.
1	Something	something	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Ind	0	root	_	_
2	that	that	PRON	WDT	PronType=Rel	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gives	give	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	1	acl:relcl	_	_
4	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
5	reason	reason	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	obj	_	_
6	or	or	CCONJ	CC	_	7	cc	_	_
7	encourages	encourage	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	3	conj	_	_
8	action	action	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
9	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	1	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | present |  | a reason |  |  |  |  | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent reason=Theme |
| 2 | **encourage** | present |  | action |  |  |  |  | vn accept-77.1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent action=Theme |

## Example 1 {#x1}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
I lost my motivation to practise piano after the holidays.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x1:1
# text = I lost my motivation to practise piano after the holidays.
1	I	I	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Number=Sing|Person=1|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	lost	lose	VERB	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=1|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	my	my	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Sing|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	4	nmod:poss	_	_
4	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	obj	_	_
5	to	to	PART	TO	_	6	mark	_	_
6	practise	practise	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	2	advcl	_	_
7	piano	piano	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	obj	_	_
8	after	after	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	holidays	holiday	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	6	obl	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **lose** | past | I | my motivation |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-3-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent motivation=Eventuality |
| 2 | **practise** | to-infinitive | I *not said here* | piano |  |  | after the holidays |  | tree rules |

## Example 2 {#x2}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Winning the cup was a big motivation for the team.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x2:1
# text = Winning the cup was a big motivation for the team.
1	Winning	win	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	7	csubj	_	_
2	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	3	det	_	_
3	cup	cup	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	1	obj	_	_
4	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	7	cop	_	_
5	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	7	det	_	_
6	big	big	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	7	amod	_	_
7	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
8	for	for	ADP	IN	_	10	case	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	team	team	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	7	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	7	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **win** | gerund |  | the cup |  |  |  |  | vn succeed-74-2 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent cup=Eventuality |
| 2 | **is a** | past | Winning | a big motivation |  |  |  | for the team | tree rules |

## Example 3 {#x3}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
What was the villain's motivation for stealing the jewel?

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x3:1
# text = What was the villain's motivation for stealing the jewel?
1	What	what	PRON	WP	PronType=Int	6	nsubj	_	_
2	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	6	cop	_	_
3	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	4	det	_	_
4	villain	villain	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	6	nmod:poss	_	SpaceAfter=No
5	's	's	PART	POS	_	4	case	_	_
6	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
7	for	for	SCONJ	IN	_	8	mark	_	_
8	stealing	steal	VERB	VBG	Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Part	6	acl	_	_
9	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	10	det	_	_
10	jewel	jewel	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obj	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	?	?	PUNCT	.	_	6	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | past |  | the villain's motivation |  |  |  |  | tree rules |
| 2 | **steal** | gerund | the villain's motivation *not said here* | the jewel |  |  |  |  | vn appear-48.1.1 «PP.location V NP»: agent=Location jewel=Theme |

## Example 4 {#x4}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Our teacher gives us stickers for motivation.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x4:1
# text = Our teacher gives us stickers for motivation.
1	Our	our	PRON	PRP$	Case=Gen|Number=Plur|Person=1|Poss=Yes|PronType=Prs	2	nmod:poss	_	_
2	teacher	teacher	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nsubj	_	_
3	gives	give	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
4	us	we	PRON	PRP	Case=Acc|Number=Plur|Person=1|PronType=Prs	3	iobj	_	_
5	stickers	sticker	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	3	obj	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
8	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	3	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **give** | present | Our teacher | stickers | us |  |  | for motivation | vn give-13.1-1 «NP V NP NP PP.asset»: agent=Agent we=Recipient sticker=Theme for motivation=Asset |

## Example 5 {#x5}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
Hunger is a strong motivation for animals to hunt.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x5:1
# text = Hunger is a strong motivation for animals to hunt.
1	Hunger	hunger	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	5	nsubj	_	_
2	is	be	AUX	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	5	cop	_	_
3	a	a	DET	DT	Definite=Ind|PronType=Art	5	det	_	_
4	strong	strong	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	5	amod	_	_
5	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	0	root	_	_
6	for	for	ADP	IN	_	7	case	_	_
7	animals	animal	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	5	nmod	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	hunt	hunt	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	5	acl	_	SpaceAfter=No
10	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	5	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is a** | present | Hunger | a strong motivation |  |  |  | for animals | tree rules |
| 2 | **hunt** | to-infinitive |  |  |  |  |  |  | vn hunt-35.1 «NP V»: agent=Agent |

## Example 6 {#x6}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
She has lots of motivation; she practises every day.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x6:1
# text = She has lots of motivation; she practises every day.
1	She	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	2	nsubj	_	_
2	has	have	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	0	root	_	_
3	lots	lot	NOUN	NNS	Number=Plur	2	obj	_	_
4	of	of	ADP	IN	_	5	case	_	_
5	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	3	nmod	_	SpaceAfter=No
6	;	;	PUNCT	:	_	8	punct	_	_
7	she	she	PRON	PRP	Case=Nom|Gender=Fem|Number=Sing|Person=3|PronType=Prs	8	nsubj	_	_
8	practises	practise	VERB	VBZ	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Pres|VerbForm=Fin	2	parataxis	_	_
9	every	every	DET	DT	PronType=Tot	10	det	_	_
10	day	day	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	8	obl:unmarked	_	SpaceAfter=No
11	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	2	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **have** | present | She | lots of motivation |  |  |  |  | vn birth-28.2-1 «NP V NP»: agent=Agent lot=Patient |
| 2 | **practise** | present | she |  |  |  | day |  | tree rules |

## Example 7 {#x7}

<!-- .ven lang=en -->
The motivation behind the new rule was to keep everyone safe.

```conllu
# sent_id = dict:school:motivation:x7:1
# text = The motivation behind the new rule was to keep everyone safe.
1	The	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	2	det	_	_
2	motivation	motivation	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	9	nsubj	_	_
3	behind	behind	ADP	IN	_	6	case	_	_
4	the	the	DET	DT	Definite=Def|PronType=Art	6	det	_	_
5	new	new	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	6	amod	_	_
6	rule	rule	NOUN	NN	Number=Sing	2	nmod	_	_
7	was	be	AUX	VBD	Mood=Ind|Number=Sing|Person=3|Tense=Past|VerbForm=Fin	9	cop	_	_
8	to	to	PART	TO	_	9	mark	_	_
9	keep	keep	VERB	VB	VerbForm=Inf	0	root	_	_
10	everyone	everyone	PRON	NN	Number=Sing|PronType=Tot	9	obj	_	_
11	safe	safe	ADJ	JJ	Degree=Pos	9	xcomp	_	SpaceAfter=No
12	.	.	PUNCT	.	_	9	punct	_	_
```

<!-- .fr -->
| # | verb | tense, mood | who | what, whom | to whom | where | when | other | roles by |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1 | **is** | past | the motivation behind the new rule |  |  |  |  | keep, safe *property* | tree rules |

<!-- div src -->

**Text:** the school dictionary of Mova's schools (`world/data/dictionary-schools/`), written for Mova. **Trees:** Mova's own parse — the `en` model on the CPU, when the site is built — not checked by a teacher; they may be wrong. **Frames:** Mova's frames reader (`prag`), each meaning and example read on its own. Elamur Cosmic License.

<!-- /div -->

<!-- pn -->
- ← previous: [motivating](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motivating/)
- next →: [motive](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/)
- ↑ back to [M in school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/)