sufficient motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sufficient motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing reasons or justifications for actions, particularly in legal or psychological discussions. Example: "The prosecution must prove that the defendant had a sufficient motive to commit the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

That in itself was not, to Oakwood's mind, sufficient motive for murder.

The New York Times - Magazine

Surely the boards of state banks might consider "public service" a sufficient motive in rescuing their own industry from self-inflicted ruin.

The Guardian - Opinion

If Lesin had decided to coöperate with American investigators, that would be sufficient motive for someone to try to stop him, Gatov told me.

The New Yorker

He said he could not believe that Mr. Marshall had sufficient motive to swindle his mother, because he stood to get a lot of her fortune anyway.

The New York Times

"No sufficient motive to sacrifice one of these animals has emerged in the 28 years since Pablo Escobar brought them to his hacienda".

The New York Times

Therrien was running the restaurant in Marietta, but receiving this sum for the corporation did not seem sufficient motive for the murder.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Namely, could the transport activity generate sufficient proton motive force to measurably increase the cellular ATP synthesis rate in response to light?

Biochemistry

In addition, there is serious question whether a sufficient legal and ethical motive presently exists for an aggressive invasion of Iraq.

The New York Times

As for Southern, the possessor of a genuine literary talent who is perhaps better known for his work on films like "Dr. Strangelove" and "Easy Rider" than for any book besides "Candy," he was fired by the twin illusions that obscenity was sufficient as a creative motive and that movies, more than books, was where the artistic action was.

The New York Times - Books

If we read the claim that humans are 'sufficient to have stood' as implying that there is no need for moral enhancement – that humans already have sufficiently moral motives and behaviour – then it will look clearly false.

Bioethics

In addition, Dvorak was a man of sufficient complexity that his motives and aims were not always what they appeared to be.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When assessing blame or liability, ensure you can articulate a "sufficient motive" to support your claim. Simply suggesting a possible motive isn't enough; it must be substantial and credible.

Common error

Don't assume that because someone benefits from an action, they automatically had a "sufficient motive" to cause it. You must provide evidence that they intended the action to occur and that the benefit was their primary driver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sufficient motive" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "sufficient" modifies the noun "motive". Its primary grammatical function is to act as a subject complement or an object in a sentence, indicating the presence of an adequate reason or justification for an action, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sufficient motive" is a grammatically sound phrase functioning as a noun phrase to denote an adequate reason for an action. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across diverse contexts, especially in news, science, and legal domains. While other motives may exist, "sufficient motive" implies a level of adequacy that justifies the action in question. When using the phrase, focus on providing concrete evidence to support your claim, and avoid assuming correlation equals causation. Consider alternatives such as "adequate cause" or "compelling reason" to refine your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

adequate cause

This alternative focuses on the causation aspect of the motive, implying there's an adequate reason for an action.

compelling reason

This suggests the motive is not just sufficient but also persuasive and hard to dismiss.

enough impetus

This phrase emphasizes the driving force or energy behind an action, indicating the motive provides sufficient momentum.

good justification

This focuses on the aspect of providing a valid and acceptable explanation for the action.

valid rationale

This suggests a logical and well-reasoned explanation, highlighting the intellectual aspect of the motive.

ample ground

This alternative highlights that there is abundant or plentiful reason or basis for taking action.

substantial basis

This indicates a firm and concrete foundation upon which the action is based, emphasizing its solidity.

reasonable grounds

This phrase suggests that the motive is not extreme or irrational, but rather based on sound judgment.

legitimate incentive

This focuses on the aspect of providing a lawful or ethically permissible reason to act.

satisfactory explanation

This focuses on the need for a response that is sufficient to meet a need or to account for a certain situation.

FAQs

How is "sufficient motive" typically used in legal contexts?

In legal settings, "sufficient motive" often refers to the prosecution needing to demonstrate that the accused had a good enough reason to commit the crime. It helps establish intent and strengthens the case, as noted in several examples from news articles.

What are some synonyms for "sufficient motive" that I can use in my writing?

You can use alternatives like "adequate cause", "compelling reason", or "valid rationale" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Can a "sufficient motive" be inferred, or does it need to be explicitly stated?

While an explicit statement of motive strengthens an argument, a "sufficient motive" can sometimes be inferred from circumstances and evidence. However, relying solely on inference can weaken your argument if the connection isn't clear.

What distinguishes a "sufficient motive" from just any motive?

A "sufficient motive" is one that is strong enough to plausibly explain the action in question. It's not just any possible reason, but one that carries significant weight and makes the action understandable in context. Something that is "ample ground".