their motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "their motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or intentions behind someone's actions or decisions. Example: "The detective was determined to uncover their motive for committing the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Frequently they are motivated by a sense of beneficence; however, sometimes their motive is self-interest (e.g. careers opportunities in global health).

Global Health Action

"Their motive?

Independent

What was their motive?

The New York Times

Their motive is financial.

The New York Times

Hackers say their motive is twofold.

The New York Times

"We see through their motive," he said.

The New York Times

Their motive, therefore, was not mere acquisitiveness.

The Economist

"I wonder what their motive is?

Independent

The gunmen escaped, their motive unknown.

The New York Times

Quite what their motive is remains a mystery.

The Economist

What is their motive?' " said David Thomasson, a church elder.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In persuasive writing, clearly articulate "their motive" if you want to build trust and connect with your audience.

Common error

Be cautious of assuming that correlation implies "their motive". Just because two events are linked does not necessarily mean one is the underlying reason for the other. Dig deeper to confirm causality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "their motive" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a clause. As confirmed by Ludwig, it refers to the reason or intention behind the actions of a group of people. The phrase helps in understanding the underlying causes of behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Science

12%

Wiki

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "their motive" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to explore the reasons behind group actions. Ludwig confirms its correctness and widespread use across multiple domains. Analysis indicates its primary function is to analyze or question the causes of certain behaviors, fitting seamlessly into news articles, academic discussions, and everyday conversations. Understanding and correctly identifying "their motive" is crucial for clear communication and effective analysis in various professional and personal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

their reason

Focuses specifically on the cause or justification for their action, simplifying the concept of motive.

their intention

Emphasizes the planned or desired outcome they are aiming for.

the purpose behind their actions

Expands the phrase to explicitly include the actions being driven by the motive.

the reason for their behavior

Shifts the focus from a specific action to a broader pattern of behavior.

the cause of their actions

Highlights the underlying cause that initiates their behavior.

the driving force behind them

Uses a more metaphorical term, 'driving force', to indicate what propels their actions.

what prompts them to act

Focuses on the initial trigger or impetus that causes the action.

the rationale behind what they did

Emphasizes the logical explanation or justification for their past actions.

the incentive for their conduct

Highlights what motivates or encourages them to behave in a certain way.

the aim of their undertaking

Focuses on the goal or objective they hope to achieve through their actions.

FAQs

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

You can use "their motive" to inquire about or explain the reason behind a group's actions, such as, "The police are investigating "their motive for the crime"" or "Their motive was unclear at first, but it soon became obvious".

What's a good alternative to "their motive"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "their reason", "their intention", or "the purpose of their actions".

Is it always necessary to identify "their motive" when discussing actions?

While not always necessary, understanding "their motive" often provides deeper insight into the causes and potential consequences of actions, which is critical in analysis and decision-making.

How does understanding "their motive" affect conflict resolution?

Understanding "their motive" can help you address the underlying reasons behind a conflict, facilitating more effective negotiation and resolution strategies.