motivations

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "motivations" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or driving forces behind a person's actions or decisions. Example: "Understanding the motivations behind consumer behavior is crucial for effective marketing strategies."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The two biggest motivations are loving supporters who believe you can overcome your problems, and a clear idea about how good life will be once you have recovered.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After he's dispatched with the man, he asks Bedelia if she had figured out both of their motivations and what would subsequently happen.

The Guardian

Who nowadays would put their child in close proximity with people whose motivations you don't quite understand?" Can he see a way for clowns reinventing themselves in a more benign guise, I wonder.

The Guardian

Trying to separate these three motivations makes less sense than combining them.

The Guardian

The narrative, though, proceeds by odd fits and starts, tracking back and forwards in time as Walter, struggling to resolve the train of consequence, reconstructs past events and considers future possibilities, guesses at others' motivations, resolves to act, hesitates, does not.

The Guardian - Books

Though the motivations never really aligned 100%." In our conversations, Abu Ahmed emphasised the Syrian connection to Iraq's insurgency.

The Guardian

Speaking to the Guardian by telephone, Liashko said he conducted the interrogation because he wanted to find out what the motivations and ideas of Kakizdyanov were.

The Guardian

Publications such as Charlie Hebdo exist in a world where their supporters are unreliable narrators of their own motivations, informed by race, class and privilege.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Concentrating on just cost savings isn't ideal: I always say that money motivations generate weak changes".

The Guardian

He questioned the motivations of the US: "I think for the US certainly the concern about these artificial islands is really just a kind of pretext to draw what one might call a red line around China's expanding regional power and influence".

The Guardian

Cooper made it clear when she laid out her reasons for not running then that she placed better representation of women at or near the top of her list of motivations for one day seeking to become prime minister.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "motivations" when referring to a collection of reasons or drives. For a singular reason, consider using "motive" instead.

Common error

Avoid attributing universal "motivations" to entire groups of people. Instead, acknowledge the diverse and individual motivations that may be at play.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "motivations" functions as a plural noun, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes the set of reasons or driving forces behind actions, decisions, or behaviors. Ludwig AI indicates that this term is used correctly in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "motivations" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed plural noun used to articulate the underlying reasons or driving forces behind actions. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it is valid and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news, business, and scientific domains, indicating a neutral formality level. When using the word "motivations", it is important to be specific regarding whose motivations you are speaking about and it's crucial to avoid overgeneralizing and attributing universal motivations to entire groups of people. Understanding the nuanced alternatives, like "driving forces" or "underlying reasons", can enhance clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reasons behind

A more direct and simple way to express the causes of something.

motivating factors

Highlights the specific elements that inspire or encourage action.

driving forces

Focuses on the power that compels action, rather than the reasons themselves.

incentives

Focuses on the rewards or advantages that drive behavior.

underlying reasons

Emphasizes the fundamental causes behind actions or decisions.

intentions

Highlights the planned or desired outcomes guiding actions.

causes

Identifies the origin or source of actions or behaviors.

purposes

Emphasizes the intended outcome or reason for actions.

aims

Focuses on the goals or objectives that drive behavior.

goals

Focuses on desired outcomes influencing actions or decisions.

FAQs

How can I use "motivations" in a sentence?

You can use "motivations" to describe the reasons behind someone's actions. For example, "Understanding their "reasons behind" their choices helps us predict their future behavior."

What are some alternatives to the word "motivations"?

Depending on the context, you could use "driving forces", "underlying reasons", or "motivating factors" as alternatives to "motivations".

Is it better to use "motive" or "motivations"?

"Motive" is used for a single reason, while "motivations" refers to multiple reasons. For example, "His motive was revenge," versus "Their motivations were complex and varied."

What is the difference between "reasons" and "motivations"?

"Reasons" are justifications or explanations, while "motivations" are the underlying drives or needs that cause someone to act. Motivations delve deeper into the psychological basis for actions.