a valid motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a valid motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing reasons or justifications for actions, particularly in contexts like law, psychology, or ethics. Example: "The jury found that the defendant had a valid motive for committing the crime, which influenced their verdict."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The alleged perpetrator, Robert Donnell was identified by name and a valid motive was provided.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Because it had a "valid regulatory motive" for canceling the licenses, the government argued, NextWave's failure to pay its debt was not the "sole motive" and the language of Section 525 was therefore not applicable.

The New York Times

Jensen points to psychologist Charles Ruby who maintains, "terrorism is basically another form of politically motivated violence that is perpetrated by rational, lucid people who have valid motives".

Huffington Post

These are not valid motives.

The New York Times

The EMI is a valid and reliable instrument assessing participation motives in order to examine issues such as the influence of motives on exercise participation, how motives might influence the choice of activities, how affective responses to exercising may be influenced by reasons for exercising, and how involvement in physical activity might have a reciprocal influence on participation motives.

BMC Geriatrics

But however nasty the motives, was it a valid journalistic exercise?

The Guardian - Opinion

Moreover, to provide a "valid reason" of participation for these "achieving learners" (Biggs & Moore, 1993) whose learning motive usually pivots on "getting higher scores," assigning the game-based learning tasks as formal assignments became an important act in the setting.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

A valid enough excuse.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That is a valid point.

The New York Times

Is that a valid argument?

The New York Times

It's a valid question.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a valid motive", ensure the context clearly establishes whose perspective determines the motive's validity. Is it a legal standard, a personal belief, or an ethical principle?

Common error

Avoid presenting a motive as unequivocally "valid" without acknowledging potential counterarguments or differing perspectives. Qualify the statement if necessary to reflect nuance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a valid motive" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun. It describes the quality of the motive, indicating that it is justifiable, reasonable, or legitimate. The Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a valid motive" is a phrase used to describe a justifiable or reasonable reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Though relatively rare, its usage spans across news media, science, and general writing, with a neutral register making it suitable for diverse contexts. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding whose perspective defines the motive's validity and to acknowledge potential counterarguments to avoid overstating its validity. Consider alternatives such as "a legitimate reason" or "a justifiable cause" to tailor your language to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a legitimate reason

This alternative replaces 'motive' with 'reason' and 'valid' with 'legitimate', emphasizing the acceptability and lawfulness of the reason.

a justifiable cause

This phrase substitutes 'motive' with 'cause' and 'valid' with 'justifiable', highlighting the defensible nature of the reason.

a reasonable ground

Substituting 'motive' with 'ground' and 'valid' with 'reasonable', this option focuses on the logical and acceptable justification.

a sound basis

Replacing 'motive' with 'basis' and 'valid' with 'sound', this option stresses the reasonableness and reliability of the foundation for an action.

a compelling rationale

This phrase uses 'rationale' instead of 'motive', highlighting the logical and persuasive nature of the reason.

a satisfactory justification

This alternative replaces 'motive' with 'justification' and 'valid' with 'satisfactory', emphasizing the acceptability of the reason.

a good explanation

This alternative uses simpler language, replacing 'motive' with 'explanation' and 'valid' with 'good', making it more accessible.

a convincing argument

This option replaces the initial phrase with an emphasis on the persuasiveness of the offered explanation.

a substantial incentive

This alternative changes the focus to the driving force behind an action, emphasizing the importance of the motive.

an understandable impulse

Replacing 'motive' with 'impulse' shifts the focus to the instinctive nature of the reason, while maintaining its validity.

FAQs

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

Use "a valid motive" to describe a justifiable or reasonable reason for an action. For example: "The investigation revealed that the suspect had "a valid motive" for the crime."

What is the difference between "a valid motive" and "a good reason"?

"A valid motive" implies a more justifiable or legally sound reason, whereas "a good reason" is more general and subjective. You might have "a good reason" to skip a party, but "a valid motive" is necessary to defend an action in court.

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

You can use alternatives like "a legitimate reason", "a justifiable cause", or "a sound basis" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the motive was valid"?

Yes, "the motive was valid" is grammatically correct. It's a common way to express that the reason behind an action is justifiable or legitimate.