personal motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "personal motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to an individual's reason or incentive for doing something, often in a context where motivations are being discussed or analyzed. Example: "Her personal motive for volunteering at the shelter was to give back to the community that had supported her during difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

That intensely personal motive for self-justification is gone.

The New York Times

"He was in fact pursuing a citizen for his own personal motive".

Independent

There was a personal motive for this; Nerys was searching for her own creative credo.

The Guardian

His report – a 328-page book – concluded that Kovtun and Lugovoi had no personal motive for murder.

The Guardian

Opening the Crown case, Wright said: "He was, in fact, pursuing a citizen for his own personal motive".

The Guardian

Mr. Messier, who delighted in snubbing the French business establishment, sees a personal motive in his ouster.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The emotionally detached, un-empathic person, unaware of his or her personal motives or truths is not going to be very effective as a CEO or senior leader.

Huffington Post

Unless we have at least one person who can stand beyond his personal motives and act for the sake of humanity, none of the political systems are going to work in Nepal.

Huffington Post

Intrinsic motivators exist without regard to external rewards and align with personal motives and values.

Human Resources for Health

But so far, investigators say there is no evidence that the sniper is motivated by a political grievance or has anything other than intensely personal motives.

The New York Times

Research on volunteerism has focused on why people volunteer based on personal motives, perceived benefits or gains, and the fit of volunteering with the person's philosophy, role identity and values (Allison, Okun, & Dutridge, 2002; MacNeela, 2008).

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing motivations, clearly differentiate between "personal motive" and external influences to provide a more nuanced understanding of actions or decisions.

Common error

Don't assume a "personal motive" is always a negative or selfish one; it simply reflects an individual's reason. Avoid equating it with a justification, which implies an attempt to defend or excuse the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "personal motive" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the reason or incentive behind an individual's action. Examples in Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from criminal investigations to artistic endeavors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "personal motive" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that describes an individual's reason or incentive for their actions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely accepted in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. The phrase highlights the subjective reasons behind behaviors, distinguishing them from external influences. While not inherently negative, it's essential to avoid equating it with justification or assuming it's always self-serving. Alternative expressions like "individual motivation" or "private reason" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

individual motivation

Focuses on the motivation originating from a single person rather than a broader context.

private reason

Highlights the privacy and confidentiality behind someone's reason.

personal drive

Refers to a strong, inherent motivation from within.

ulterior motive

Suggests a hidden, often less honorable, reason behind an action.

selfish reason

Emphasizes the self-centered aspect of the motive.

personal agenda

Implies a plan or goal that is personally important and may influence actions.

own interest

Highlights that the action is primarily benefiting the individual.

particular incentive

Focuses on the specific encouragement or reward driving the individual.

subjective cause

Highlights the cause to be internal and driven by one's feelings or opinion.

inner compulsion

Suggests an irresistible, internal force pushing someone to act.

FAQs

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

You can use "personal motive" to explain why someone does something, such as "His "personal motive" for volunteering was to gain experience."

What's a good alternative to "personal motive"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases like "individual motivation", "private reason", or "ulterior motive".

Is a "personal motive" always negative?

No, a "personal motive" is not inherently negative. It simply indicates that the reason for an action originates from an individual's own needs, desires, or beliefs. It could be altruistic or self-serving.

What is the difference between "personal motive" and "ulterior motive"?

A "personal motive" is a general term for someone's reason for doing something. An ""ulterior motive"" implies a hidden, often less honorable, reason behind an action.