common motivation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "common motivation for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing a shared reason or driving force behind a particular behavior or action among a group of people. Example: "A common motivation for participating in community service is the desire to give back and help those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Over all, lawyers said, mental health is the most common motivation for those seeking discharges.

The New York Times

The utilization of the cellular metabolism for cofactor regeneration is a common motivation for the application of whole cells in redox biocatalysis.

Journal of Biotechnology

Wanting a different life for your children is a common motivation for emigrating, but Álvaro and Anabela Henriques had no idea of the possibilities they were opening up for their 18-month-old son when they left Portugal for Australia in 1988.

The New York Times - Sports

Warez Groups: "[A] less common motivation for committing IPR [infringement] is personal fame and notoriety.

Crime Science

The common motivation for SOP techniques is to minimise the accumulated time delay due to cognitive cycle processing.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The fear of social scrutiny and ostracism, along with a general stigma regarding alternative and counter-culture, appears to be the most common motivation for avoiding alternative styles.

Fashion and Textiles

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It is hard to feel, in an art museum, alone in your fear of death, since it is one of the most common motivations for artists.

The New York Times - Arts

The Hinge Research Institute's Referral Marketing study found that the most common motivations for making an expertise-based referral include hearing an expert speak, reading blog posts or articles they had written, and interacting with them on social media.

Forbes

A key qualitative study in this area conducted by McCabe et al. (1999) found that common motivations for student engagement in academic dishonesty include pressure to get higher grades, a desire to excel, lack of preparation and pressure to gain employment upon completion of study.

International Journal for Educational Integrity

The American Library Association rank both among the most banned and challenged books in the nation, and no wonder: according to ALA statistics, offensive language is one of the most common motivations for a challenge.

Huffington Post

One of the most common motivations for confronting the other person is to try to get them to see that you're a real person and that their actions are destroying real lives.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing motivations, provide specific details or examples to support your claim. This adds credibility and clarity to your writing. For example, instead of saying "A "common motivation for" volunteering is altruism", specify "A "common motivation for" volunteering is altruism, driven by a desire to help others and improve the community."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "common motivation" applies to everyone in a group. Recognize that individual motivations can vary, and acknowledge the possibility of exceptions or alternative reasons. For example, you should say "While a "common motivation for" employees leaving a job is salary dissatisfaction, other factors such as career growth opportunities or work-life balance can also play a role."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "common motivation for" functions as a noun phrase that introduces a reason or impetus that is shared by multiple individuals or entities. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates the phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "common motivation for" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that introduces a shared reason or impetus behind a particular action or behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is generally correct and suitable for various writing contexts. The phrase appears most often in scientific and news-related sources, suggesting a neutral register. When using "common motivation for", it's important to provide supporting details and avoid overgeneralization. Alternative phrases, such as "shared incentive for" or "mutual reason for", can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shared incentive for

Replaces "motivation" with "incentive", highlighting the aspect of encouragement or reward.

mutual reason for

Substitutes "motivation" with "reason", emphasizing the logical explanation behind an action.

collective impetus for

Uses "impetus" instead of "motivation", suggesting a driving force or stimulus.

unified drive for

Emphasizes the aspect of a combined force or energy that propels action.

common cause for

Focuses on a shared aim or objective that inspires action.

shared rationale for

Replaces motivation with rationale, highlighting the underlying logic behind something.

prevailing factor in

Shifts the focus to identifying the most significant influence or element.

mainspring of

Highlights the basic and most important reason for something happening.

underlying determinant of

Specifies a fundamental element that shapes or influences an outcome.

primary impetus behind

Similar to "collective impetus for" but places emphasis on what is at the back of one's mind.

FAQs

How can I use "common motivation for" in a sentence?

You can use "common motivation for" to introduce a shared reason or purpose behind a particular action or behavior. For example: "A "common motivation for" donating to charity is the desire to make a positive impact on society."

What are some alternatives to "common motivation for"?

Alternatives include "shared incentive for", "mutual reason for", or "collective impetus for depending on the context".

Is it appropriate to use "common motivation for" in formal writing?

Yes, "common motivation for" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the specific tone and audience of your writing when choosing the most appropriate phrasing.

What is the difference between "common motivation for" and "main reason for"?

"Common motivation for" implies a shared reason among a group, while "main reason for" suggests the primary cause or justification, which may not necessarily be shared.