provide motive

USAGE SUMMARY

"provide motive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to explain why someone did something or why an event happened. For example: "The police were unable to determine the perpetrator, but hoped that by interviewing witnesses they could provide motive for the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

And the Freudian flashbacks to Murray's childhood – designed to provide motive for his insecurity and egomania – often feel uncomfortably contrived.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Used to feed a fuel cell that delivers juice to an electric motor, hydrogen could provide motive power while spewing out environmentally harmless water vapor as exhaust.

Forbes

Moreover, mere capability doesn't provide motive.

Huffington Post

Complex gearing for uniquely Chinese clockworks were continued in the Ming Dynasty (1368 1644), with new designs driven by the power of falling sand instead of water to provide motive power to the wheel drive, and some Ming clocks perhaps featured reduction gearing rather than the earlier escapement of Su Song.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Emotions were typically assumed to have directions and to provide motives for action.

SEP

Although the water jet provides motive power only in water, it is always operating.

The New York Times

With a weir and goit providing motive power for a water wheel, the factory was built for throstle spinning and the weaving of cotton a relatively new introduction to Britain.

Wikipedia

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.00594.014 The above mechanistic proposal provides motive to wonder what happens when K+ is replaced with Cs+, because Cs+ in crystal structures of K+ channels binds at only three sites and with unusually high occupancy at S1 (Zhou and MacKinnon, 2003).

eLife

Then, the writers will throw in some misdirection, providing motives and evidence that seem to implicate someone else.

Los Angeles Times

The police did not provide a motive for the shooting.

The New York Times

Inspector Collins could provide no motive for the killing.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "provide motive" in legal or crime-related contexts, ensure that you clearly distinguish between providing a possible motive and establishing definitive proof. A motive can suggest a potential suspect or direction for investigation, but doesn't prove guilt.

Common error

A frequent error is treating a demonstrated motive as conclusive evidence of guilt. "Provide motive" explains why someone might have acted, but other evidence is required to prove that they acted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "provide motive" functions as a verb phrase, where "provide" is the verb and "motive" is the direct object. It describes the action of offering or supplying a reason or incentive for a particular action or behavior. Ludwig provides several examples of usage in sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "provide motive" is a grammatically correct verb phrase that means to offer or explain a reason for an action. Ludwig highlights that it's used across different contexts, including news, science, and general knowledge. While its frequency is considered uncommon, its usage is straightforward. Keep in mind that demonstrating motive doesn't equate to proving guilt or action, as a cause it's frequently misinterpreted. When writing, make sure the source is authoritative, as that adds strength and reliability in the discussion or writing. Ultimately, understanding the nuances of "provide motive" can enhance clarity in communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a reason

Focuses on offering an explanation or justification.

offer an explanation

Emphasizes presenting a clear and understandable account.

suggest a cause

Highlights proposing a factor that leads to a specific outcome.

imply a reason

Suggests a reason indirectly, without stating it explicitly.

establish rationale

Focuses on creating a logical basis or justification.

demonstrate justification

Emphasizes showcasing the validity or fairness of an action.

uncover motivation

Highlights discovering the underlying impulse or drive.

reveal the why

Focuses on making the reason or purpose known.

clarify the incentive

Emphasizes making the encouragement or reason for action clear.

spell out the purpose

Highlights explaining the objective or intention in detail.

FAQs

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

You can use "provide motive" to explain the reason behind an action, for example, "The evidence helped to provide motive for the crime".

What's a simple way to rephrase "provide motive"?

Alternatives include "give a reason", "offer an explanation", or "suggest a cause" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "provide motive" commonly used?

It is frequently seen in news reports about crimes, legal analyses, and discussions of character motivations in literature and film. See Ludwig's examples for further details.

What is the difference between 'provides motive' and 'provided motive'?

'Provides motive' is present tense, meaning it currently gives a reason. 'Provided motive' is past tense, indicating that it gave a reason in the past.