chief motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief motivation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary reason or driving force behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "Her chief motivation for pursuing a career in medicine was to help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

So perhaps the chief motivation for building a lap pool is for its fitness benefits.

The New York Times

He has a daughter, age 7, whom he describes as his chief motivation.

The New York Times

The chief motivation to score goals in sports was not to beat the other team but to impress the fans.

The New York Times

When we teenagers allude to illicit activities and display revealing photographs, our chief motivation is exhibitionism, not secrecy.

The New York Times

'He is not just a bank robber or an ordinary criminal who's in it for material gain,' says Nolan. 'His chief motivation is that of an anarchist.

The Guardian - Film

A team statement cited a "concerning step backwards in the second half of the year" as their chief motivation for making such a change.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

With security and control, rather than health and happiness, as the chief motivations, the townships were designed along the lines of military barracks.

The Guardian

McCartney hated the results so much that he claimed Let It Be was one of his chief motivations for wanting to dissolve the Beatles.

The Guardian - Music

The chief motivations behind a change in the law seem to be to send a message about the seriousness of stalking and focus on the effect on the victim.

The Guardian

Among the many ironies exposed by the collapse of AOL's status within AOL Time Warner is this: one of the chief motivations for AOL's merger with Time Warner in 2000 was to secure access to the old media group's cable pipes in order to put broadband services at the centre of the multimedia experience.

The Economist

The chief motivations for this decision were recognition of the: ◦ general immaturity of IT development in African students ◦ importance of the student-generated material in the courses, ◦ dictates of the curriculum to allow students to revisit previous material, most of which is in electronic form in the LMS.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief motivation", ensure that it clearly represents the most important or primary reason behind an action. Using adjectives like "primary" or "main" can further emphasize its significance.

Common error

While "chief motivation" is grammatically correct, it might sound overly formal in casual conversations. Consider using simpler alternatives like "main reason" or "driving force" to better suit the tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "chief motivation" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the primary reason or driving force behind an action or decision. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief motivation" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase used to denote the principal driving force behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI validates its correctness for use in written English. While it is commonly found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its formal tone suggests it is best suited for professional and academic settings. When opting for alternative expressions, consider the context to ensure the replacement aligns with the intended level of formality. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable asset for writers seeking to articulate primary reasons with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary motivation

Replaces "chief" with "primary", indicating the main or foremost reason.

main motivation

Substitutes "chief" with "main", suggesting the principal driving force.

principal motivation

Employs "principal" instead of "chief", denoting the most important or fundamental reason.

driving force

Replaces "chief motivation" with a more figurative expression, highlighting the impetus behind an action.

key incentive

Substitutes "motivation" with "incentive", focusing on what encourages a particular behavior.

central reason

Replaces "motivation" with "reason", emphasizing the rationale behind an action.

primary impetus

Replaces "chief motivation" with a more formal expression indicating the force that initiates an action.

underlying cause

Highlights the fundamental reason that leads to a particular outcome or action.

prime mover

Uses a more abstract and philosophical term to describe the initial cause or motivation.

core driver

Replaces "chief motivation" to underline the essential element that impels or guides something.

FAQs

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

You can use "chief motivation" to describe the main reason behind someone's actions. For example, "Her chief motivation for pursuing a career in medicine was to help those in need."

What are some alternatives to "chief motivation"?

You can use alternatives like "primary motivation", "main driving force", or "principal reason depending on the context".

Is "chief motivation" the same as "main motivation"?

While similar, "chief motivation" implies a more formal and significant driving force compared to "main motivation", which is a more general term.

When is it appropriate to use "chief motivation" over other alternatives?

"Chief motivation" is suitable in formal writing or when you want to emphasize the primary and most important reason. In less formal contexts, consider using "main reason" or "driving force".