a primary motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a primary motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the main reason or driving force behind an action or decision. Example: "The company's decision to expand into new markets was driven by a primary motive: increasing profitability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Thus it can function either as a primary motive, motivating the agent without the aid of inclination, or as a secondary motive, as a commitment to doing what is right, telling the agent to act as inclination directs.

SEP

A primary motive for market design is the need to address market failures.

Harvard Business Review

When revenge surfaces as a primary motive, it's hard not to read with a jaundiced eye.

The New York Times - Books

Passive safety is a primary motive behind the development of small and medium sized reactors of various coolants.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Quality control and consistency across stores was a primary motive for building the affinage facility, says Cathy Gaffney, Wegmans's director for specialty cheeses, deli and kosher deli.

The Washington Post

Moreover, robbery did not appear to be a primary motive; Mr. Kelly said the most recent victim had $171 in his pockets when his body was found.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

Approximately 128 (74%) of those with a detected primary motive had a perpetrator who was suicidal in nature.

Clinical interventions in aging

Anxiety related to wheezing was a common primary motive for trial enrolment.

BMJ Open

The latter has gained increased popularity in recent years because a) the primary motive for seeking orthodontic treatment is improving appearance [ 9, 10] and an aesthetic component would seem necessary to any diagnostic tool.

BMC Oral Health

Cases were analyzed as a whole and a determination of "primary motive" was made based on a number of factors.

Clinical interventions in aging

If a company's primary motive to exist is to make a profit, then it needs a set of stringent rules to live by -- and the first rule is "Do no harm".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a primary motive", ensure it clearly connects to the resulting action or decision to maintain clarity and logical flow in your writing.

Common error

Avoid presenting secondary or supporting reasons as the "primary motive". Ensure the identified motive is truly the most influential factor, not just a contributing element.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a primary motive" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. Ludwig AI's analysis, supported by the examples, confirms its role in specifying the main reason or impetus behind an action or decision.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a primary motive" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating the main reason or driving force behind an action. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and while it's not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts like News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with the actual primary driver to avoid misinterpretations. Consider alternatives like "the principal reason" or "the key motivation" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the principal reason

Substitutes "motive" with "reason", offering a more straightforward explanation of the main cause.

the key motivation

Changes "primary" to "key" and uses "motivation" instead of "motive", indicating the most important inspiration.

the main impetus

Replaces "motive" with "impetus", emphasizing the driving force behind an action.

the chief driving force

Replaces "motive" with "driving force", highlighting the influential power behind an action.

the foremost aim

Replaces "motive" with "aim", highlighting the main goal or objective.

the central purpose

Replaces "motive" with "purpose", shifting the focus to the intended outcome or goal.

the fundamental incentive

Uses "incentive" instead of "motive", stressing the reward or benefit that drives the action.

the overriding consideration

Emphasizes that the motive is the most important factor to consider.

the dominant influence

Stresses the power of the motive in shaping the action or decision.

the underlying cause

Focuses on the foundational reason behind an action, suggesting a deeper, less obvious motive.

FAQs

How can I use "a primary motive" in a sentence?

You can use "a primary motive" to explain the main reason behind an action. For example, "A primary motive for the company's investment in renewable energy was to reduce its carbon footprint."

What can I say instead of "a primary motive"?

You can use alternatives like "the main impetus", "the principal reason", or "the key motivation" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "a primary motive" and "a secondary motive"?

"A primary motive" is the main driving force behind an action, while a secondary motive is a less important, contributing factor. Understanding this distinction ensures clarity in explaining motivations.

Is it redundant to say "the primary motive"?

While "primary" implies the main motive, using "the primary motive" can provide emphasis and clarity, especially when discussing multiple motives. It highlights the most significant factor.