primarily motivated

USAGE SUMMARY

"primarily motivated" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it to describe someone or something that is driven mainly by one particular motivation. For example, you could say: "He was primarily motivated by a desire to help others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

3 Entrants must be based in the UK and not primarily motivated by profit.

The Guardian

And the Krays themselves were also seized, indeed sometimes primarily motivated, by movie nostalgia.

The Guardian - Film

The company has also stated – as ever – that they are primarily motivated by simplifying consumer searches.

The Guardian - Travel

The jump, the experts said, was primarily motivated by fears of corporate espionage.

The New York Times

Political or social change motivates terrorists, primarily — while criminals are primarily motivated by making money.

The Washington Post

"I am always primarily motivated by what moves me," she said.

The New York Times

Conservative economic theory preaches that people are primarily motivated by economic incentives.

The New York Times

It is not known if the killer was primarily motivated by money.

The New York Times

That attracts people who are primarily motivated by how much they achieve.

The New York Times

King was primarily motivated by his desire to maintain national unity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Tree planting and species selection decisions were primarily motivated by aesthetic preferences and maintenance concerns.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primarily motivated", ensure the context clearly establishes what other secondary motivations might also be at play. This adds nuance and avoids oversimplification.

Common error

Avoid using "primarily motivated" when multiple, equally important factors are present. It's misleading to suggest one dominant motive if several exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primarily motivated" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating the principal reason or incentive behind an action or decision. As noted by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "primarily motivated" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that serves to explain the main driving force behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is found in diverse contexts, ranging from news and media to scientific and academic writing. While alternatives like "mainly driven by" and "chiefly inspired by" exist, "primarily motivated" offers a clear and direct way to convey the principal reason behind a behavior. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clarifies any secondary motivations and avoids overstating the singularity of the dominant motive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in essence motivated by

Highlights the core reason behind the action.

at heart driven by

Conveys a deeper, more intrinsic motivation.

mainly driven by

Focuses on the driving force as a cause rather than a motivation.

chiefly inspired by

Highlights the inspiring element behind the action.

largely influenced by

Emphasizes the influence more than the internal motivation.

predominantly guided by

Suggests a guiding principle rather than a personal motive.

principally determined by

Focuses on the determination aspect, suggesting a firm decision.

essentially spurred by

Implies a sudden impetus or encouragement.

fundamentally caused by

Highlights a fundamental cause rather than a motivation.

primarily compelled by

Suggests a sense of obligation or external pressure.

FAQs

How can I use "primarily motivated" in a sentence?

You can use "primarily motivated" to describe the main reason behind someone's actions. For example, "The researcher was primarily motivated by a desire to find a cure for the disease."

What is a good alternative to "primarily motivated"?

Alternatives include "mainly driven by", "chiefly inspired by", or "largely influenced by", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "primarily motivated" if the other motivations are negligible?

While not strictly redundant, it's more concise to simply state the single motivation if others are insignificant. "Motivated by" is sufficient in such cases.

What's the difference between "primarily motivated" and "solely motivated"?

"Primarily motivated" indicates a main but not exclusive motivation, while "solely motivated" means there is only one driving factor. "Solely motivated" implies no other influences at all.