definitive motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "definitive motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary or most important reason behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "The detective was determined to uncover the definitive motive behind the crime to solve the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In recent years, she has stopped searching for a definitive motive.

The Washington Post

The commission was unable to identify a definitive motive for the attack, but said it was likely that Farkhunda had encouraged visitors to the shrine to abstain from buying charms, upsetting shrine guardians and leading to the false accusations.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

The paper concerns the scale of labour migration, its definitive motives and positive and negative impacts on Georgia.

Princeton University

While the victims' families and members of Congress are demanding answers to what set off Mr. Alexis, current and former federal law enforcement officials said that in terrorist attacks and mass shootings — particularly ones in which the perpetrators are mentally ill and have been killed — investigators often never come to a definitive conclusion about motive.

The New York Times

He said it was too early to be definitive about the motives of the German gunman, especially when a search of the man's home did not find any Islamist-related material, or any other political, religious or ideological material.

The Guardian

Authorities are investigating a possible terrorism link in the shooting rampage but have not given a definitive explanation of the motive.

Los Angeles Times

We all agree that what Adam Lanza did was unspeakable and we will never know the definitive reason for his motives -- yet perhaps the more complex question is where did we learn that judgment is acceptable?

Huffington Post

Not definitive, just definite.

The New York Times

US officials, particularly from the FBI, called the Orlando massacre an "act of terror" but emphasized that an investigation was just beginning and did not issue definitive statements about Mateen's motive.

The Guardian

Ever since Rolf Hochhuth's tendentious 1963 play, "The Deputy," Pius's role has become the pivotal question dominating the whole discussion of Christian complicity in the Holocaust -- unfortunately, it could be said, since all the diplomatic papers in the Vatican archives will probably never shed a definitive light on the inner motives of this enigmatic personality.

The New York Times

Chief Superintendent Kevin Mulligan, the divisional commander for Salford, said yesterday: "We have not established a clear motive for the senseless murder, and there is no definitive evidence pointing to it being racially-motivated.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "definitive motive" when you want to emphasize that the reason behind an action is not only important but also clearly established and leaves no room for doubt.

Common error

Avoid using "definitive motive" when the reason is still speculative or based on incomplete evidence. It implies a level of certainty that may not exist and could mislead your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitive motive" functions as a noun phrase, where 'definitive' modifies 'motive'. It indicates a clear and established reason for an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "definitive motive" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to highlight the clear and established reason behind an action. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, the phrase is relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and academic contexts. When using "definitive motive", ensure that the reason is indeed well-supported and not merely speculative. Alternatives like "conclusive reason" or "primary motivation" may offer a more nuanced expression depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

conclusive reason

Replaces 'definitive' with 'conclusive', emphasizing the final and undeniable nature of the reason.

primary motivation

Substitutes 'motive' with 'motivation', focusing on the driving force behind an action, while 'primary' highlights its importance.

underlying cause

Replaces 'motive' with 'cause', shifting the focus to the fundamental reason behind an event or action, and 'underlying' suggests a deeper, less obvious reason.

real intention

Focuses on the genuine purpose behind an action, replacing 'motive' with 'intention'.

actual purpose

Highlights the true aim or goal, swapping 'motive' for 'purpose'.

principal aim

Emphasizes the main objective or goal, using 'aim' in place of 'motive'.

chief impetus

Replaces 'motive' with 'impetus', indicating the driving force or stimulus behind an action.

mainspring

A more figurative term for the primary reason or motivation.

essential driver

Highlights what fundamentally propels an action or decision.

key determinant

Focuses on the most important factor influencing a particular outcome.

FAQs

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

Use "definitive motive" to describe the primary reason or the established cause behind someone's actions. For example: "The detective was searching for the "definitive motive" behind the crime."

What are some alternatives to "definitive motive"?

Alternatives include "conclusive reason", "primary motivation", or "underlying cause", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "definitive motive" the same as "possible motive"?

No, "definitive motive" implies a confirmed and clear reason, while "possible motive" suggests a potential but unconfirmed explanation. They represent different levels of certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "definitive motive" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "definitive motive" when the reason for an action is clearly established and supported by evidence. Avoid using it when the motive is still speculative or unclear.