motivation for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase “motivation for” is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate the reason why someone does something. For example, “He had a strong motivation for achieving success.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What's the motivation for ProPublica?

The New York Times

"That's the motivation for this".

The New York Times

Further motivation for Spieth?

The Guardian - Sport

It's a great motivation for everyone.

Independent

The motivation for such profit-shifting vanishes.

The Economist

"There is motivation for us now.

The New York Times - Sports

It's more motivation for next year".

The New York Times - Sports

The governments have strong motivation for change.

The New York Times

It gives me motivation for Sydney.

The New York Times - Sports

This was the main motivation for WahSarkar.

The Guardian

That was enough motivation for Ewing tonight.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the reason behind an action, clearly state the "motivation for" it to provide context and understanding. For example, "The motivation for the change was to improve efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "motivation for" when describing a simple cause-and-effect relationship. "Motivation" implies a conscious or deliberate reason, not just any preceding event. Use "cause of" or "reason for" instead when describing non-deliberate actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivation for" functions as a noun phrase followed by a preposition, typically introducing the reason or incentive behind an action, decision, or behavior. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivation for" is a frequently used and grammatically correct phrase that serves to highlight the reasons or incentives behind actions and decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's prevalent across diverse sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and business reports, indicating its versatile usage. When employing this phrase, ensure you are referring to a conscious or deliberate incentive rather than a simple cause. Alternatives like "reason for" or "purpose of" may be more appropriate in certain contexts. By understanding its nuances, you can effectively communicate the "motivation for" various events and actions in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reason for

Focuses on the justification or cause behind an action or decision, similar to motivation.

purpose of

Highlights the intended outcome or goal that drives an action.

driving force behind

Emphasizes the power and energy that propels an action or decision.

incentive for

Specifies an external reward or benefit that encourages a particular behavior.

stimulus for

Points to an event or condition that triggers a response or action.

basis for

Highlights the underlying foundation or rationale for a decision.

inspiration for

Emphasizes the creative or emotional influence that prompts an action.

impetus for

Focuses on the initial force or momentum that starts an action or process.

rationale behind

Highlights the logical or reasoned explanation for a decision.

grounds for

Specifies the legal or justifiable reasons for an action or decision.

FAQs

How can I use "motivation for" in a sentence?

Use "motivation for" to express the reason or incentive behind an action or decision. For example, "His "motive for" applying was his desire to learn."

What's the difference between "motivation for" and "reason for"?

"Motivation for" implies a driving force or incentive, while "reason for" simply indicates a cause or explanation. "Motivation" often suggests a deeper, more personal drive, unlike a "cause of" or a superficial reason.

What are some alternatives to "motivation for"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "purpose of", "incentive for", or "driving force behind".

Is it always necessary to explicitly state the "motivation for" an action?

No, explicitly stating the "motivation for" an action is not always necessary. However, doing so can provide clarity and context, especially when the reason is not immediately obvious or when emphasizing the intentionality behind the action.