Start with the sound 'mo', like in 'mow the lawn'.
The 'o' is long, similar to 'go'.
End with 'tiv', with a short 'ih' sound and a soft 'v'.
pronouncing 'mo' as 'ma' (ma-tiv)
using a short 'o' sound (mot-ive)
ending with a 'b' instead of a 'v' (mo-tib)
Start with 'məʊ', similar to 'mow the leaves'.
The 'əʊ' is a diphthong, starting with 'uh' moving to 'oo'.
End with 'tiv', with a short 'ih' sound and a soft 'v'.
pronouncing 'mo' as 'ma' (ma-tiv)
using a short 'o' sound (mot-ive)
ending with a 'b' instead of a 'v' (mo-tib)
In American English, it is a long 'o', like in 'go'.
Some might replace it with a 'b' sound, saying 'mo-tib'.
The stress is on the first syllable, 'mo'.
A reason for doing something.
/ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪt/
To give someone a reason to do something
/ˌmoʊ.tɪˈveɪ.ʃən/
The reason for doing something
/ˈmoʊ.tɪ.veɪtɪd/
Having a strong reason to do something
- 'motivate' has an extra syllable 'veɪt'.
- 'motivation' has more syllables and different stress.
- 'motivated' has additional 'tə' and 'ɪd' sounds.
Focus on extending the 'o', like in 'go' or 'so'.
Ensure the final 'v' is clear and not confused with 'b'.