deep motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deep motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a profound or underlying reason for someone's actions or behavior. Example: "Her deep motive for volunteering was rooted in her desire to give back to the community that had supported her during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Only a significant decrease in the deep motive subscale was found.

Studies in Educational Evaluation

The results support the pooled sample findings that a consistent difference exists between UG and GEMP students for deep motive and superficial approaches to learning.

BMC Medical Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But there's a deeper motive underlying the Israeli attitude.

The Guardian - Opinion

He wanted to spend his time writing, but he also had a deeper motive.

The New Yorker

Consider the following mental experiment, which, I believe, helps us unveil a deeper motive.

The Guardian - Opinion

The oppressive Protestant ethic is not our deepest motive, he says.

The New York Times

But your use of "manipulative" suggests suspicion of a deeper motive: perhaps a desire to stay at her home exclusively or to deepen your commitment.

The New York Times

"It wasn't a reference to that anyway," he said, apparently suspecting he will be perceived as disingenuous for denying a deeper motive.

The New York Times

I understand your desire to keep this quiet, and I respect your deeper motive, but you can't let donors finance a community center based on misinformation about how it operates.

The New York Times - Magazine

One suspects that a deeper motive here is ballast: Democrats are more likely than Republicans to have wild primary battles and to select young governors — often flagrantly obscure young governors — to lead them.

The New Yorker

They had heard the star say he proposed to Love because she was "the best fuck in the world", and they'd seen him show the scratches on his back to prove it, but they identified with another, deeper motive.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using "deep motive", consider using "underlying cause" or "true intention" depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "deep motive" when a simpler explanation suffices. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly dramatic or pretentious. Save it for situations where the motivation is truly complex or hidden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deep motive" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "deep" modifies the noun "motive". It describes a reason or intention that is not superficial but rather fundamental and profound. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deep motive" refers to a profound or underlying reason for actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While relatively rare, its usage is supported by reputable sources in both news and scientific contexts. It is essential to use this phrase accurately, reserving it for situations where the motivation is complex. Alternatives such as "profound reason", "underlying cause", and "true intention" can be considered to provide a more nuanced expression depending on the specific context you need to describe.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

profound reason

Focuses on the depth and significance of the reason.

real purpose

Stresses the actuality and significance of the goal.

underlying cause

Emphasizes the fundamental reason beneath the surface.

true intention

Highlights the genuine and perhaps concealed purpose.

fundamental rationale

Emphasizes the basic and logical reasoning.

hidden agenda

Implies a secret and possibly less noble reason.

secret motivation

Focuses on the concealed driving force.

core incentive

Highlights the central encouragement or reason.

intrinsic motivation

Highlights the inherent and internal driver.

primary impetus

Stresses the initial driving force or cause.

FAQs

What does "deep motive" mean?

The phrase "deep motive" refers to a profound, underlying reason or intention behind someone's actions or decisions. It suggests a motivation that is not immediately obvious and often rooted in complex emotions or beliefs.

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

You can use "deep motive" to describe a character's hidden reason for their actions, such as: "Her "deep motive" for helping the poor was to atone for her family's past injustices."

What are some alternatives to "deep motive"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "underlying cause", "hidden agenda", or "true intention" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "deep motive" the same as "ulterior motive"?

While both phrases suggest a hidden reason, "ulterior motive" typically implies a selfish or deceptive intention, whereas "deep motive" simply indicates a profound or fundamental reason that may not be immediately apparent.