a general motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a general motivation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing overarching reasons or incentives that drive behavior or actions in a broad context. Example: "In this study, we aim to explore a general motivation behind consumer behavior in the digital age."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

As a general motivation, Burgstahler and Dichev (1997) contend that managers engage in EM to limit the costs imposed on the firm in its transactions with stakeholders.

International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility

Just as all moral virtues can be understood in terms of a general motivation for the good, all intellectual virtues may be understood in terms of a general motivation for knowledge and other kinds of high-quality cognitive contact with reality.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

As the high homing performance across shorter distances indicates a strong general motivation to return, we consider that low homing success for distances above 200 m is best explained by orientation failure.

Ethology

While an occasional tweet might place these photos in the hands of a wider audience, the general motivation is one of connecting with people I know, not strangers.

TechCrunch

This leads to a new and more general motivation for the log-likelihood ratio test (LHR), in the more general sense of non-nested nonlinear models.

BMC Systems Biology

The scale end points were designed to assess self-efficacy, a psychological construct that has roots in general motivation theory, and holds that a person's belief in their capabilities is at the centre of their ability to function under normal and also under difficult circumstances.

BMJ Open

In addition to this self-report instrument, a blinded assessment of the patients' general motivation will be included in the SANS avolition/apathy scale [ 23].

BMC Psychiatry

For a proxy assessment of the patients' general motivation regarding life style changes we asked the GPs to rate the patients' motivation for diabetes education on a 3 point scale (low, medium, high).

BMC Health Services Research

So I think just general motivation and things on a broad spectrum: posters and adverts on TV and all that will obviously help".

BMC Oral Health

26 Unsurprisingly, fear of side effects of vaccination is a strong negative influence, while lack of general motivation and ignorance about the recommendations are other commonly reported barriers to both seasonal and pandemic vaccination.

BMJ Open

Future efforts to adapt instructional design may choose to target topic-specific motivation rather than general motivation; for example, having a learner commit to individual learning goals before a module may enhance self-efficacy and improve motivation to learn a specific topic.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a general motivation" when discussing broad patterns or trends that influence behavior across a wide range of situations.

Common error

Avoid using "a general motivation" when discussing specific, targeted goals. "General motivation" refers to the overarching drive, whereas specific goals require precise and actionable plans.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a general motivation" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and usable, illustrating its role in discussions about overarching incentives or reasons.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a general motivation" is a grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe a broad, overarching reason or incentive. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in English writing. While relatively rare, it appears in both scientific and news contexts. To enhance your writing, ensure that the context clearly defines the scope of the motivation. Alternatives such as ""a broad incentive"" or ""an overarching reason"" can provide nuanced meaning depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broad incentive

Replaces "motivation" with "incentive", emphasizing external encouragement rather than internal drive. Maintains the sense of being widespread.

a central incentive

Similar to "a broad incentive", but emphasizes the importance and centrality of the incentive.

a universal purpose

Substitutes "motivation" with "purpose", shifting the focus to an intended outcome or aim that applies widely.

a common impetus

Uses "impetus" instead of "motivation", stressing the driving force or initial impulse behind an action or decision.

a key motivator

Focuses on what specifically incites action, positioning it as essential.

an overarching reason

Replaces "motivation" with "reason", highlighting the logical basis or justification for something, emphasizing its comprehensive nature.

a fundamental drive

Replaces "motivation" with "drive", indicating a basic and powerful internal force.

a primary stimulus

Uses "stimulus" instead of "motivation", focusing on something that incites activity or energy.

a basic cause

Replaces "motivation" with "cause", highlighting the underlying reason for an event or action, emphasizing its elementary nature.

an overall inspiration

Shifts the focus to something that stimulates creativity or enthusiasm, rather than a direct cause for action.

FAQs

How can I use "a general motivation" in a sentence?

You can use "a general motivation" to describe an overarching reason or incentive behind a set of actions or behaviors. For example, "a general motivation for exercising is to improve overall health".

What are some alternatives to "a general motivation"?

Alternatives include "a broad incentive", "a universal purpose", or "an overarching reason", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "a general motivation" and a specific goal?

"A general motivation" is the underlying reason or drive, while a specific goal is a concrete, measurable objective. For instance, a general motivation might be to "improve fitness", whereas a specific goal would be to "run a 5k in under 30 minutes".

When is it appropriate to use "a general motivation" in academic writing?

It's suitable when discussing broad theoretical frameworks or overarching principles that influence human behavior or decision-making. It helps to provide context for more specific findings or observations.