sole motivation

USAGE SUMMARY

'sole motivation' is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is often used to describe something that serves as a single inspiration or force behind a particular action or endeavour. For example, "His sole motivation was to make the world a better place."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

But that is not the sole motivation.

The New York Times

However, religion is not the sole motivation for suicide bombing.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But the influence of Western education was not the sole motivation for the Chibok abductions.

The New Yorker

After Sunday's game, the Heat's Eddie House said he thought James's sole motivation was winning.

The New York Times - Sports

But winning a medal was not Cayard's sole motivation to compete in the Olympics for a fourth time.

The New York Times - Sports

He said that his sole motivation was to raise awareness of the dangers that football players can face regarding concussions.

The New York Times - Sports

Evidence released by the F.B.I. seems to suggest that greed would not have been the sole motivation, either.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

There is a period in the middle teens where your two sole motivations in life are thus: you would take a bullet for Alison Brie; you always smell faintly of Texas BBQ Pringles; there are no other facets to your personality beyond these.

Vice

Ahmad Jauhari Yahya, the airline's CEO, said on Tuesday that SMS was used only as a last resort, when the news could not be delivered in person or by telephone, with the "sole and only motivation" of ensuring that families heard the news first.

BBC

Our sole and only motivation last night was to ensure that in the incredibly short amount of time available to us, the families heard the tragic news before the world did.

Huffington Post

"The sole and exclusive motivation for seeking these restrictions is for the safety and enjoyment of our guests," Disney spokeswoman Leslie Goodman told the Orlando Sentinel after the restrictions were created.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sole motivation", ensure that no other significant factors contribute to the action or decision being described. This strengthens the statement and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "sole motivation" if other factors, even minor ones, influence the action. Opt for phrases like "primary motivation" or "major factor" if the motivation is dominant but not exclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sole motivation" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes the single, overriding reason or purpose behind an action or decision, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sole motivation" is a phrase used to describe the single, primary reason behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and frequently used, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to ensure that no other significant factors contribute to the described situation. While alternatives like "only motive" or "prime driver" exist, the core meaning remains consistent: emphasizing the singularity of purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

only motive

Replaces 'motivation' with 'motive', offering a more concise alternative with a slightly stronger emphasis on underlying reason.

prime driver

Substitutes 'sole' with 'prime' and 'motivation' with 'driver', shifting the image to something that propels action.

main impetus

Uses 'impetus' instead of 'motivation', highlighting the force that initiates an action.

chief reason

Offers a simpler and more direct alternative, focusing on the primary cause.

principal cause

Replaces 'motivation' with 'cause', emphasizing the factor that brings about a result.

driving force

Uses a more dynamic term, 'driving force', to indicate what is compelling or pushing action forward.

central incentive

Swaps 'motivation' with 'incentive', highlighting the thing that encourages one to do something.

underlying purpose

Focuses on the fundamental aim or goal influencing behavior, rather than the reason itself.

single goal

Emphasizes the singularity of the objective being pursued.

primary consideration

Highlights that it is the main factor taken into account.

FAQs

How can I use "sole motivation" in a sentence?

Use "sole motivation" to emphasize that only one reason or purpose drives a particular action. For example, "His "sole motivation" for volunteering was to help others."

What are some alternatives to "sole motivation"?

You can use alternatives such as "only motive", "prime driver", or "chief reason" to convey a similar meaning, depending on the context.

Is it correct to say 'one of the sole motivations'?

No, "sole motivation" implies there is only one. Saying 'one of the sole motivations' is contradictory. Consider using "one of the main motivations" instead.

What is the difference between "sole motivation" and "primary motivation"?

"Sole motivation" indicates the only reason, while "primary motivation" suggests it is the most important, but not necessarily the only one. The choice depends on whether there are other influencing factors.