Questions about impel,motivate,drive and move

Question

Impel,motivate,drive and move have the similar meaning of which means to force/make someone to act in a particular way.What is the difference between then ?

Franklin Ong · Accepted Answer

Please,

Doctor D · Answer

Move is the most general word. It simply refers to changing position (either on one's own or because of outside forces). There is no suggestion of force.

I moved slowly up the ladder.

The ladder moved sideways as I started to climb.

(You can also use "move" in the sense of influenced.

His beautiful speech moved me to tears.)

Motivate means to persuade by appealing to their emotions.

He motivated her to climb the ladder by telling her how beautiful the view was at the top of the wall.

Drive and impel both mean to force along. Drive suggests repeatedly acting on something. Impel implies a strong motivating force. It is usually figurative (no one is actually touched)

He drove her up the ladder by repeatedly shoving her up.

He was impelled to climb the ladder by his great fear of looking like a coward.

I hope this helps.

Franklin Ong · Answer

Move also means that to cause someone to do something,correct ?

For instance,

1)He works when the spirit moves him.

2)Greediness had moved him to have robbed the bank for a few times but he ended with being under arrest by the police ultimately.

Hence,I know motivate,drive and impel also have the same meaning.

In my view,motivate implies that what something forces or causes you to do is all good for you.

For example,

1)Full of confidence motivates her to stand on the stage bravely to make her dream of being a star come true.

2)Encouragement from his father motivates him to study diligently.

Something good makes them to do this way.

Drive,while,as what you mean that to cause someone to do something by continuous action or pressure,so that could you tell me whether drive tends to be for someone's benefit ?

I consider that impel suggests to cause somebody to be bad only but never good or it can be either good or bad,what do you think ?

For instance,

We do say that greediness impels John to fall into becoming a drug mule for money.( disapproving )

Yet, we don't say that braveness and patriotism impel Alex to sacrifice his life voluntarily for his country's

honour .(approving)

Am I correct with that ?

Doctor D · Answer

Yes, move can mean "cause to do something." It focuses on the general situation (the change).

As for your samples...

1)He works when the spirit moves him.

2)Greediness had moved him to have robbed the bank for a few times but he ended with being under arrest by the police ultimately.

#1 is a common expression. Perfectly fine.

In #2, I would have said "motivate." Greed had motivated him to rob the bank several times but he ended up being arrested by the police at last.

About "motivate:"

Motivate focuses on the underlying emotion or urge. It could be either good or bad.

About "drive" and "impel:"

Drive/impel focuses on the force of an emotion or urge. They could also be good or bad.

Fear/Hope drove him onward across the plain.

He was impelled by the poverty of his childhood to hoard his money/to give to all in need.

So, overall, I would say all these terms can be used in either a positive or negative way.

Franklin Ong · Answer

Doctor DIn #2, I would have said "motivate." Greed had motivated him to rob the bank several times but he ended up being arrested by the police at last.

Why did you use motivate in this sentence instead of move,so when should I use motivate and move ?

Doctor DAbout "motivate:"

Motivate focuses on the underlying emotion or urge. It could be either good or bad.

About "drive" and "impel:"

Drive/impel focuses on the force of an emotion or urge. They could also be good or bad.

Fear/Hope drove him onward across the plain.

I cannot understand clearly about what you said that motivate focuses on the underlying emotion or urge and drive/impel focuses on the force of an emotion or urge.Could you explain what is meant by underlying emotion or urge and force of an emotion or urge and give some examples ?

I'll thank you a lot.

Doctor D · Answer

I would use "move" only in a general sense, like "arouse."

Your words moved me in a way I cannot explain.

I would use "motivate" when I had a particular emotion in mind.

Jack is motivated by greed.

Jill is motivated by fear.

The hope of getting paid is motivation enough for some people.

Greed and fear and hope are emotions. So we are pointing to the emotions.

When we use drive, we are talking about the strength of what motivates them.

Jack was driven by fear to attempt the impossible.

Whatever was driving Jack, it made him act badly.

We do not use "drive" when talking about a weak impulse or feeling.

Jack felt like taking a bath, but not just yet.

I hope this makes it clearer.

Franklin Ong · Answer

I see,I can understand more clearly now.Thanks,it helps.

Could you help me to solve another question that is quite important for me and shown below as a link.

It is about writing a good composition or article,should I use phrasal verb or verb.

Appealing your kind help.Thanks.

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