motivated by conscience

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motivated by conscience" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe actions or decisions that are driven by a sense of moral obligation or ethical considerations. Example: "Her decision to speak out against injustice was motivated by conscience, as she felt it was her moral duty to do so."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

"They're motivated by conscience".

The New York Times

Mr. Darby acknowledged that many people he spied on might not accept his explanation that he was motivated by conscience.

The New York Times

Jeffrey Wigand was motivated by conscience to expose the Big Tobacco scandal, revealing that executives of the companies knew that cigarettes were addictive and approved the addition of carcinogenic ingredients to the cigarettes.

Wikipedia

The actions of United Nations Secretary General Dag Hammarskjöld to try and achieve peace in the Congo despite the (eventuating) threat to his life, were strongly motivated by conscience as is reflected in his diary, Vägmärken (Markings).

Wikipedia

David Graham, a Food and Drug Administration employee, was motivated by conscience to whistleblow that the arthritis pain-reliever Vioxx increased the risk of cardiovascular deaths although the manufacturer suppressed this information.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Women are motivated by their conscience and men by their wallet when choosing to retrain, according to new research.

The Guardian

Worse, we accept that the purpose of making prostitution illegal is somehow motivated by our conscience: to protect – depending on how we position our convictions – family values or human rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

Callers may be motivated by a guilty conscience, a desire for reward money, a keen sense of justice or some less classifiable impulse.

The New York Times

But Mr Blair's friend and former constituency agent John Burton denied he had been motivated by a "guilty conscience", saying Mr Blair was "quite convinced the reasons for going into Iraq are still right".

BBC

The judge's insinuation that Ms. Miller's refusal to testify about a confidential source is motivated by something other than conscience shows contempt for the values of a free and democratic society.

The New York Times

On the other, Edwards argues (against, e.g., Hutcheson) that most conscientious and other regarding behavior is, indeed, a form of self-love and that, in any case, acts motivated by rational self-love, conscience, or natural other regarding instincts such as parental affection or pity aren't genuinely virtuous.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "motivated by conscience", ensure the context clearly establishes the moral or ethical dimension driving the action. This adds credibility and depth to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "motivated by conscience" loosely. The phrase implies a significant moral or ethical consideration, so use it judiciously in situations where such considerations are genuinely at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivated by conscience" functions as a descriptor, indicating the reason or impetus behind someone's actions. It modifies a subject by specifying that their choices are driven by their internal moral compass. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

40%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivated by conscience" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe actions driven by internal moral principles. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage, although relatively rare, is appropriate across various contexts, primarily in news and media as well as encyclopedic entries. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly involves a moral or ethical dimension to strengthen its impact. Alternatives such as "driven by moral principles" or "guided by ethical beliefs" offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Understanding these nuances enhances the precision and effectiveness of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

driven by moral principles

Replaces "motivated by conscience" with an emphasis on the principles guiding the action.

guided by ethical beliefs

Focuses on the ethical foundation as the driving force, instead of the conscience.

prompted by a sense of duty

Highlights the feeling of obligation that compels the action.

inspired by moral conviction

Emphasizes the strong belief that fuels the motivation.

compelled by inner values

Shifts focus to the personal values that dictate the action.

acting on moral grounds

Emphasizes the moral justification behind the action taken.

influenced by ethical considerations

Highlights the role of ethical factors in shaping the motivation.

obeying one's moral compass

Uses a metaphor to illustrate the internal guidance system.

acting in accordance with one's morals

Stresses the alignment of actions with personal moral standards.

led by one's inner moral voice

Uses a metaphor to describe the internal guidance of conscience.

FAQs

How can I use "motivated by conscience" in a sentence?

You can use "motivated by conscience" to describe actions or decisions that are driven by a sense of moral obligation or ethical considerations. For example, "His decision to expose the company's wrongdoings was "motivated by conscience"".

What are some alternatives to "motivated by conscience"?

You can use alternatives like "driven by moral principles", "guided by ethical beliefs", or "prompted by a sense of duty", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "motivated by conscience" or "motivated by morals"?

Both phrases are acceptable, but "motivated by conscience" often implies a deeper, more personal sense of moral obligation, while "motivated by morals" can refer to a more general set of societal or personal moral standards.

What's the difference between "motivated by conscience" and "motivated by ethics"?

"Conscience" refers to an internal sense of what is right and wrong, while "ethics" relates to a set of external principles or rules. So, "motivated by conscience" suggests an internal moral compass, while "motivated by ethics" suggests adherence to external standards.