sense of motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of motive" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct term is "motive" or "sense of motivation," depending on the context. Example: "The detective struggled to understand the suspect's motive behind the crime, as there seemed to be no clear sense of motivation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Government officials gave contradictory accounts of the identity of the sender, and they offered little sense of motive.

The New York Times

One of the abiding fascinations in studying the world of traitors and double agents is to try to arrive at a sense of motive – why would you want to betray your own country in the first place?

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

O'Malley apparently committed few of his private thoughts to paper, which means we get little sense of motives, fears and any desire other than turning a handsome profit.

The New York Times - Books

Your sense of motives may be heightened by the emotional high of trying to get this paper done on time, so use that to your advantage.

WikiHow

This might give you a sense of the motive, and the point of someone who is going to commit suicide for a cause".

The New York Times

But Ian himself can barely make sense of his motives.

The New Yorker

The sense of dual motives and deferred desires is the defining characteristic of the occupation movie.

The Guardian - Film

Khalidi's sense of American motives and strategy seems flattened by his own preconceptions.

The New York Times - Books

There is the drink, the world-weariness, the deadpan humour and the sense of concealed motives, unknown connections and brutal, ugly truths yet to be unearthed.

The Guardian - Books

Our responsibility is not to abuse it — to vet what they say, to find facts to back it up, to get a sense of their motives and make sure that they don't have an axe to grind.

The New Yorker

You might grow your hair and your beard, as a constant reminder of your mission; you might learn the language of your child's captors; you might struggle to find ways to connect with them and to make sense of their motives; you might post five thousand messages on Twitter.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Prefer using single-word terms like "motivation" or rephrasing to use clearer alternatives such as "reason for action" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "sense of motive" as it can sound awkward and less direct than using the single word "motivation" or more descriptive alternatives. Choose clarity over complexity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of motive" functions as a noun phrase that suggests an awareness or understanding of the reason behind an action. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not standard English, recommending alternatives like simply using "motive".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "sense of motive" attempts to convey an understanding of someone's reasons, it's not considered standard English usage. As Ludwig AI suggests, it is better to use the word "motive" or clearer, more direct alternatives such as ""motivation"", ""reason for action"", or "driving force". Although it appears in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, its frequency is rare, and clarity should be prioritized. When discussing reasons and actions, opt for simplicity and precision over this less common phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivation

This term directly refers to the reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a particular way, eliminating the need for "sense of".

reason for action

This is a more explicit way of conveying the cause or justification behind an action.

underlying motive

Specifies that the motive is not immediately obvious, adding a layer of complexity.

driving force

This metaphor emphasizes the impetus or energy behind an action or decision.

motivating factor

Highlights a specific element that influences someone's behavior.

incentive

Focuses on what encourages someone to take a particular course of action.

purpose

Indicates the intended outcome or goal of an action.

intention

Refers to a plan or aim, often implying a deliberate course of action.

inspiration

Focuses on the source of creativity or motivation.

impetus

This term captures the force or energy that makes something happen or develop.

FAQs

How can I express the idea of understanding someone's reason for doing something?

You can use terms like "understanding their "motivation"", "grasping their "reason for action"", or "perceiving their "intention"".

Is it grammatically correct to say "sense of motive"?

While the phrase "sense of motive" is occasionally used, it's not considered standard English. It's often better to use a more direct term like "motive" or rephrase for clarity.

What's a more formal way to say "sense of motive"?

In formal contexts, consider using "underlying motive", "driving force", or "motivating factor" for a more precise and impactful expression.

Which is the difference between the meaning of "sense of motive" and "motive"?

"Motive" refers directly to the reason for doing something. The phrase "sense of motive" implies an awareness or understanding of that reason, though it's less direct and often replaceable by simply using "motive" or ""motivation"".