out of self interest

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of self interest" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to describe when someone does something with the self-interested motivation of furthering their own interests or to express the fact that something is being done for selfish reasons. For example: "The senator voted in favor of the bill out of self interest, hoping that it would win him more votes in the upcoming election."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

And it's purely out of self interest.

Yale University

You don't come here out of self interest, you come here out of public interest.

The Guardian

But the inspector general came to conclude he was acting out of self interest and that it violated FBI policy.

The Washington Post

So if you obey the law but you do so only out of self interest, your obedience, says Kant, has no moral worth.

Yale University

Then he explained, "I will tell you I am not speaking out of self interest.

Huffington Post

Some mistakenly dismissed her as an "illegal alien" backing this cause out of self interest, she recalled.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Countries and people and leaders of countries act out of self-interest," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Egypt's rulers behave out of self-interest.

The New York Times

Partly, it grows out of self-interest.

The New York Times

"Do it out of self-interest.

The New York Times

This was purely out of self-interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of self interest", ensure the context clearly indicates whose interests are being served and how their actions align with those interests.

Common error

Avoid using "out of self interest" when actions primarily benefit others or are driven by ethical considerations. Overuse can imply selfishness where it's not the main motivator.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of self interest" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to explain the motivation behind an action. Ludwig's examples show it describing why someone acts in a particular way, driven by personal gain.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of self interest" is a prepositional phrase that describes actions motivated primarily by personal gain rather than altruism. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While the phrase can have negative connotations, its usage spans across diverse contexts including academia, news, and business, often serving to neutrally describe the underlying motivations for particular behaviors or decisions. It is less common than alternative expressions like "for personal gain" or "motivated by self-interest", but serves to add a degree of specificity when detailing self-serving intentions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated by self-interest

Highlights the internal drive influencing the action.

for selfish reasons

Directly indicates that the motivation is rooted in selfishness.

for personal gain

Emphasizes the benefit received by the action.

for one's own advantage

Focuses on gaining a better position or outcome for oneself.

for one's own benefit

Highlights the advantage one receives through their actions.

with a vested interest

Indicates a personal stake or involvement in the outcome.

with ulterior motives

Suggests hidden, self-serving intentions behind an action.

to advance one's own agenda

Highlights the pursuit of personal goals or plans.

driven by personal ambition

Focuses on ambition as the primary motivator.

for self-preservation

Emphasizes survival or protection of oneself.

FAQs

How can I use "out of self interest" in a sentence?

Use "out of self interest" to describe actions primarily motivated by personal benefit rather than altruism. For example: "The company supported the initiative "out of self interest" to improve its public image."

What are some alternatives to "out of self interest"?

You can use phrases like "for personal gain", "motivated by self-interest", or "for selfish reasons" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to act "out of self interest"?

Not necessarily. While it can imply selfishness, acting "out of self interest" can also lead to positive outcomes for others, as individuals or organizations pursue goals that indirectly benefit society.

What's the difference between "out of self interest" and "for the common good"?

"Out of self interest" indicates actions driven by personal benefit, while "for the common good" describes actions intended to benefit the wider community, often without direct personal gain.