for whatever motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "for whatever motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that the reason or motive behind an action is not important or is unknown. Example: "He decided to help her for whatever motive, whether it was kindness or something else entirely."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"We are talking about a corruption of this process, of favoritism, for whatever motive we don't know".

The New York Times

You're at an ideal juncture to pitch ideas, sweet-talk those you wish to impress (for whatever motive) and bamboozle rivals.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Whoever has attacked our parliament for whatever motive will not succeed in dividing us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Actually, for whatever motives and with whatever regrets, federal financing of the arts skyrocketed under his administration.

The New York Times - Books

Nor is it enough to act in accordance with duty, from whatever motive, in order for our behavior to have moral worth.

BMC Medical Ethics

Many among the political class, among the commentariat, among the broader intelligentsia or even among normal reasonably well-off people, went to private schools themselves (as I did), or for whatever mixture of motives have sent their children there or are thinking of doing so.

The Guardian - Books

And yet, this country seems so divided on Obama that those who love him would have forgiven him had he not flown ten hours from Indiana to Honolulu, and those who dislike him would find ulterior motives for whatever he did.

Huffington Post

For whatever reason, you just want to express your straightforward appreciation no ulterior motive.

Vice

But Kimmel said he doesn't care what the motives are: If fraternities make a stand against sexual assault, for whatever reason, everyone will be better off.

Huffington Post

"For whatever.

The New York Times - Magazine

Since then, a ban on Mr Anwar's standing for political office has expired, and he has said he is poised to topple the government as its MPs jump ship.Whatever the motive for the allegations against Mr Anwar, or for his against the government, he seems for the moment to have the political initiative.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarity is paramount, consider specifying potential motives, even if only to dismiss their relevance. For example, "They acted for whatever motive—be it ambition, fear, or duty—the result was the same."

Common error

While "for whatever motive" is grammatically sound, it can sound flippant or dismissive in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to maintain a serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "for whatever motive" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause by expressing circumstance. It introduces the idea that the reason behind an action is either unknown or irrelevant to the main point. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "for whatever motive" serves as an adverbial phrase, downplaying the significance or knowledge of the reason behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Primarily used in news and media contexts, it suggests a neutral register suitable for general audiences. While grammatically correct, it may sound dismissive in formal academic contexts. Alternatives include "regardless of the reason" or "irrespective of the motivation". Use this phrase when the specific reason is unknown, unimportant, or irrelevant to the main point.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regardless of the reason

Focuses on disregarding the cause or justification.

irrespective of the motivation

Emphasizes that the underlying impetus does not matter.

no matter the purpose

Highlights that the intended outcome is not a factor.

whatever the intent

Stresses that the design or plan behind the action is immaterial.

for any reason

Broadly covers all possible justifications without specifying them.

on any account

Implies that the action is taken under any circumstances.

without regard to the cause

Indicates that the origin or basis of the action is not being considered.

for no discernible reason

Suggests that the cause is unclear or not easily understood.

irrespective of the why

Informal way of saying the cause is not important.

despite the rationale

Points out that the logical basis is not a consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "for whatever motive" in a sentence?

You can use "for whatever motive" to indicate that the specific reason behind an action is not important or is unknown. For example, "He helped, "for whatever motive", and that's what matters."

What's a more formal alternative to "for whatever motive"?

In more formal contexts, consider using phrases like "regardless of the reason", "irrespective of the motivation", or "notwithstanding the purpose".

Is it correct to use "for whatever reason" instead of "for whatever motive"?

"For whatever reason" is a similar phrase and is often interchangeable with "for whatever motive". The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the cause (reason) or the underlying impetus (motive).

What does "for whatever motive" imply about the speaker's knowledge?

Using "for whatever motive" often implies that the speaker either does not know the specific reason or does not consider it important enough to investigate or state.