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Discover LudwigThe phrase "a hidden motive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's underlying reasons for their actions that are not immediately apparent.
Example: "While he seemed genuinely helpful, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a hidden motive behind his generosity."
Alternatives: "an ulterior motive" or "a concealed intention".
Exact(11)
He even suspected a hidden motive in the Standard Chartered affair.
Looking back, I can't help thinking that Hanssen also had a hidden motive for first becoming my friend.
That angered British traders who thought there was a hidden motive to force Britain into adopting the single European currency, a hot political issue here.
He admitted this week the current schedule leaves the teams "shattered" but when he says something like that it is usually wise to look for a hidden motive.
South Korean officials have rejected the letter from the North Korea's National Defence Commission (NDC), released by the special order of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, as having a "hidden motive".
While some in Argentina were suggesting Ms. Fernández de Kirchner might have a hidden motive, one British poster, the Labour Party town councillor Phil Rackley, pondered on Twitter: Falklands did it for Thatcher!
Similar(49)
One popular one points to the film's Medieval elements, while another presents a possible hidden motive for Kylo Ren.
He is deeply skeptical, nevertheless, of any counseling approach that imagines that you can dwell purely in the realm of reason, ignoring hidden motive and unresolved feeling, "That's a fantasy," Lear said by phone.
Did he have some hidden motive?
But with TV-6 the hidden motive is obvious.
At least we got to know what George Stark's hidden motive was: he didn't have one.
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Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com