a key motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key motivation" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the primary reason or driving force behind an action or decision. Example: "The desire to improve community health was a key motivation for launching the new wellness program."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, this framing misses a key motivation for refusing vaccination.

The Washington Post

This issue became a key motivation for the present paper.

Ain Shams Engineering Journal

It is also seen as a key motivation behind most tax inversions.

The Guardian - Business

Donohoe cites the societal pressure for constant happiness as a key motivation behind the work.

The Guardian - Arts

Prioritising the financial value of education was a key motivation behind The Browne Report.

Nature

That appears to be a key motivation of the sponsors in Iowa and the similar amendment in North Dakota.

The Washington Post

Certain prizes can bring reporters numerous benefits, including greater freedom in choosing future topics to pursue ��� in itself a key motivation for some reporters.

The New York Times

Regan cited Scotland's dismal start to their World Cup qualifying campaign – they lie bottom of Group A – as a key motivation in Levein's sacking.

The Guardian - Sport

Krzanich noted that a key motivation for his backing of the company's initiatives was that he has two daughters of his own.

The Guardian - Money

Personal development is a key motivation and I am always reflecting on this to make sure I get the most out of each experience.

The Guardian

Henley told me a key motivation for doing the sums on the 1.5C target was to help policymakers understand what kind of timeframe they have to work with.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance readability, consider varying your vocabulary by using synonyms like "primary incentive" or "driving force" instead of repeatedly using "a key motivation".

Common error

Avoid using "a key motivation" when the motivation is already implied or self-evident. This can make your writing sound redundant and less impactful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key motivation" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the primary reason or driving force behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

34%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key motivation" is a versatile phrase used to express the primary reason or driving force behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure it clearly and directly relates to the action being explained, and consider using synonyms like "primary incentive" or "driving force" for variety. Avoid redundancy by not stating the obvious and ensure that you are providing real informative value to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary incentive

Replaces "motivation" with "incentive", emphasizing the reward or benefit that drives action.

a major impetus

Substitutes "motivation" with "impetus", highlighting the force that initiates or accelerates something.

a central reason

Replaces "motivation" with "reason", focusing on the logical basis for an action.

a driving force

Emphasizes the active and compelling nature of the motivation.

the mainspring

Uses a metaphor to indicate the core mechanism or cause.

the principal cause

Highlights the causal relationship more directly than "motivation".

a significant determinant

Focuses on the factor that strongly influences the outcome.

the underlying rationale

Emphasizes the logical or philosophical basis for the action.

a prime mover

Uses a metaphor to indicate the entity primarily responsible for initiating an action.

a fundamental consideration

Replaces "motivation" with "consideration", which means something taken into account when making a decision.

FAQs

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

Use "a key motivation" to highlight the primary reason behind an action or decision. For example, "A key motivation for the policy change was to improve public safety."

What are some alternatives to "a key motivation"?

You can use alternatives such as "a primary incentive", "a driving force", or "a central reason" to express a similar idea.

Is it redundant to say "the main motivation" instead of "a key motivation"?

While "the main motivation" and "a key motivation" are similar, "a key motivation" suggests one of several important factors, whereas "the main motivation" implies the single most important factor.

What's the difference between "a key motivation" and "an important factor"?

"A key motivation" specifically refers to the driving force behind an action, while "an important factor" is a broader term that refers to any significant element influencing a situation.