only motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the singular reason or driving force behind an action or decision. Example: "His only motive for helping her was to gain her trust."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Their only motive was humanitarian.

University of California, Berkeley

That is their only motive".

The New York Times - Sports

But "fun" is hardly Posner's only motive.

The New York Times

At first my only motive was revenge.

The Washington Post

But self-advancement isn't Cromwell's only motive.

The Guardian - Books

Motive force is the only motive force.

The New York Times - Books

But money is not her only motive.

The New York Times

The only motive can be jealousy.

The Guardian

Political gain wasn't the only motive for stressing ethnicity.

The New York Times

But he said his only motive was supporting his family.

The Washington Post

"Kenny and George's only motive is to show the work".

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only motive" to clearly and directly state the sole reason behind an action, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Ensure that "only motive" is used accurately; if there are other contributing factors, consider using "primary motive" or "main reason" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only motive" functions as a noun phrase typically serving as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It identifies and emphasizes the singular driving force behind an action, decision, or feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only motive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to emphasize the singular reason behind an action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, including news, academia, and general discourse. While alternatives such as "sole reason" or "primary reason" exist, "only motive" provides a direct and unambiguous way to highlight the key driving force. When using this phrase, ensure that it accurately reflects the situation, as overstating the singularity of a motive can lead to misinterpretation. The phrase is typically found in neutral register and commonly used in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sole motivation

Emphasizes that there is literally no other driver for the action.

primary reason

Highlights the main reason among potentially multiple reasons.

driving force

Suggests a powerful and compelling impetus.

single incentive

Focuses on the unique reward or encouragement for an action.

mainspring

Implies that this is a crucial or fundamental reason.

prime mover

Indicates the initial and principal cause of an action.

underlying cause

Suggests a less obvious but fundamental reason.

chief impetus

Emphasizes the energy or stimulus behind the action.

basic impulse

Highlights a fundamental and often emotional drive.

fundamental principle

Focuses on a guiding belief or value driving the decision.

FAQs

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

Use "only motive" to emphasize that there is a single, overriding reason for someone's actions. For example: "His "only motive" was to protect his family."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "only motive"?

You can use alternatives such as "sole reason", "primary reason", or "driving force" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "the only motive was" or "the only motive were"?

Use "was" because "motive" is singular. The correct phrasing is "the "only motive was"".

What is the difference between "only motive" and "main motive"?

"Only motive" implies that there is absolutely no other reason, while "main motive" suggests it's the primary reason, but other contributing factors might exist.