motivates

Motivates is the third-person singular present tense of the verb motivate. To motivate means to provide a reason, incentive, or goal that encourages someone to act; or to stimulate interest, enthusiasm, or energy toward a task or objective. In everyday language, it describes actions intended to spur effort or performance.

In education, management, sports, and psychology, motivation can be intrinsic (driven by personal interest or values) or extrinsic (driven by external rewards or pressures). Effective motivation combines clear goals, feedback, and appropriate incentives. Examples: a coach motivates players by recognizing progress; a teacher motivates students by linking lessons to real tasks; a manager motivates staff with growth opportunities. The verb often takes patterns like "motivates X to do Y" or "motivates X by providing Z."

Etymology and related terms: motivate derives from motive, from Latin motivus meaning moving. The noun motivation refers to the internal or external processes that initiate and sustain goal-directed behavior. Related terms include motive, motivational, and motivator. In usage, motivate is distinct from inspire: motivate emphasizes action prompted by reasons or incentives, while inspire emphasizes feeling or aspiration.