core motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "core motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the fundamental reason or driving force behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "Understanding the core motive behind her decision to leave the company helped us address the underlying issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Yet the modernisation project was essentially the product of fear: fear of defeat was its core motive, just as soothing the fear of the voters was its primary objective.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Tom Blomfield, co-founder and CEO of Monzo, believes that the UK approach to data sharing appeared to have different core motives – creating consumer benefit via competition – compared to what was happening in France.

The Guardian

This kind of focus on unraveling core motives, interests, or incentives -- getting to the bottom of issues to expose the special interests behind legislation and policies that endanger animals -- is a special passion, especially for Shane, who says there is rarely a single "greedy" individual or group behind systematic animal cruelty.

Huffington Post

"The core driving motive for me making this movie was to actually represent the complexity of this issue and that it wasn't about pirates versus the industry," he insists.

Huffington Post

This PPRE is a direct repeat of six nucleotide long core recognition motives (AGGTCA) that are separated by a single nucleotide.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - General Subjects

For my money, a president must have at his core a people motive.

Huffington Post

Surely the snark social leader fits like a glove with the younger set, but at its core the underlying motives are straight out of Game of Thrones.

TechCrunch

What I object to is when organisations join the Labour Party with other motives than the core principles of the Labour Party.

The Guardian

Second, following background information, we explore a core issue that relates to motives and incentives behind immigrants' religiosity.

IZA Journal of Migration

While the music and arts festival is still a radical social experiment, the influx of new crowds—such as Silicon Valley tycoons, rich kids looking for their yearly peyote fix, and superstar DJs has led to friction between those upholding the event's core ethos, those with different motives, and outsiders who just spit on what Burning Man has become.

Vice

A putative microviridin precursor MdnA included a leader and core peptide region with conserved motives.

BMC Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing complex decisions or actions, clearly articulating the "core motive" provides essential context and understanding for your audience. It helps prevent misinterpretations and promotes transparency.

Common error

Avoid listing multiple contributing factors as the "core motive". The "core motive" should be the single, most significant driver behind the action or decision, not a collection of less significant influences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core motive" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, identifying or describing the central reason or cause behind an action or decision. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

6%

Wiki

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "core motive" serves as a crucial element in effective communication by pinpointing the primary driving force behind actions or decisions. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific discussions, and formal analyses. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by distinguishing it from mere contributing factors and focusing on the single, most influential reason. Alternatives such as ""primary driving force"" or "fundamental reason" can add nuance, but "core motive" itself provides a direct and unambiguous identification of the principal cause.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary driving force

Emphasizes the dynamic and energetic aspect of the motive.

fundamental reason

Highlights the basic and essential nature of the motive.

underlying motivation

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious aspects of the motive.

central impetus

Stresses the force that initiates or drives action.

key incentive

Points to the reward or advantage that motivates behavior.

mainspring

Implies a critical, internal driver.

principal cause

Focuses on the causal factor at the heart of the situation.

root cause

Highlights the very origin from which something springs.

basic rationale

Emphasizes the logical justification or reason.

essential purpose

Focuses on the ultimate aim or goal.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "core motive" in a sentence?

The phrase "core motive" is best used to pinpoint the primary reason or incentive behind a particular action or decision. For example, "The company's "primary driving force" was to increase profits" indicates the main reason for the company's actions.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "core motive"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "fundamental reason", "underlying motivation", or "central impetus" to convey a similar meaning.

Is there a difference between "core motive" and "ulterior motive"?

Yes, "core motive" refers to the primary, often openly stated, reason for doing something, while "ulterior motive" implies a hidden or unacknowledged reason. The former is transparent, while the latter is secretive.

When is it most appropriate to use the phrase "core motive" in writing?

Use "core motive" when you want to clearly and directly identify the main reason behind a decision, action, or event, especially when accuracy and clarity are paramount. This is particularly useful in analytical or explanatory writing.