primary motive

USAGE SUMMARY

"primary motive" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone's main or underlying reason for doing something. For example: "The thief's primary motive was monetary gain."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Certainly, the primary motive is saving money.

The New York Times

But recruiting is the primary motive.

The New York Times

This primary motive has guided his actions.

The Guardian

His lawyer denied that racism was the primary motive.

The New York Times

But he acknowledged that the primary motive for such games was financial.

The New York Times - Sports

When revenge surfaces as a primary motive, it's hard not to read with a jaundiced eye.

The New York Times - Books

He told the MPs: "Our primary motive was we felt these were damaging the search.

Independent

I'm not saying the payout was his only motive or even his primary motive.

The New York Times

The parliamentary inquiry's primary motive was to establish if there was any truth in the Nike conspiracy.

The Guardian - Sport

"We just need to recognise that profit is the primary motive and ensure we keep them in check".

The Guardian - Opinion

But he added that donations make sense only if a landowner has conservation goals as the primary motive.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "primary motive", ensure it clearly identifies the single, most important reason behind an action, distinguishing it from secondary or contributing factors.

Common error

Avoid using "primary motive" when several factors equally influenced a decision. Instead, acknowledge multiple motives or specify the dominant one if it exists.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "primary motive" functions as a noun phrase, where "primary" modifies "motive". It specifies the most important reason or cause for an action or decision. Ludwig confirms its acceptability. Examples in Ludwig show it used to identify the core reason behind events or behaviors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "primary motive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to denote the main reason or driving force behind an action or decision. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely accepted in written English. Its prevalence across various sources, including news media, scientific articles, and encyclopedias, underscores its versatility and clarity. When employing "primary motive", it is essential to ensure that it accurately reflects the dominant reason and to avoid redundancy by using it with similar terms like "main". Understanding its function and purpose will contribute to more precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main motivation

Replaces 'motive' with 'motivation', emphasizing the psychological drive behind the action.

chief reason

Substitutes 'primary' with 'chief' and 'motive' with 'reason', focusing on the principal cause.

driving force

Uses a more figurative term to describe the main influence or impetus.

underlying cause

Highlights the fundamental reason that may not be immediately apparent.

principal aim

Replaces 'motive' with 'aim', shifting the focus to the intended outcome or goal.

central impetus

Uses 'impetus' to denote the force that initiates an action, suggesting a strong driving factor.

key incentive

Focuses on what encourages or prompts the action, highlighting the reward or benefit.

basic rationale

Emphasizes the logical or justifiable reason behind an action.

core driver

Highlights the fundamental element that propels or influences an action.

major consideration

Focuses on the most important factor taken into account when making a decision.

FAQs

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

Use "primary motive" to specify the main reason behind someone's actions. For example, "The company's "primary motive" for the merger was to increase market share."

What are some alternatives to using "primary motive"?

You can use alternatives such as "main reason", "driving force", or "chief aim" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "main primary motive"?

Yes, using both "main" and "primary" is redundant as they both indicate the most important factor. Stick to either "main motive" or ""primary motive"".

What's the difference between "primary motive" and "ulterior motive"?

"Primary motive" refers to the main, often openly stated reason, while "ulterior motive" refers to a hidden, often less honorable, reason.