ultimate motive

USAGE SUMMARY

"ultimate motive" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to describe the ultimate goal of an individual or group of people, or the final purpose of a specific event or action. For example: "The ultimate motive for the company's decision to move production overseas was to save money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The ultimate motive for these governments is to maximize the state's power, according to this view.

The New York Times

The ultimate motive, he continues, "is not economic (maximizing growth) but political (maximizing the state's power and the leadership's chances of survival)." Under state capitalism, market enterprises exist to earn money to finance the ruling class.

The New York Times

Kurdish groups in northern Iraq claim that Turkey's ultimate motive is to prevent the formation of a Kurdish state in northern Iraq by occupying its territory and ultimately controlling part of its natural resources.

The New York Times

"Sometimes our sincere friendship has prompted us to overlook our neighbors' ultimate motive," the ambassador told a Thai radio station, speaking from New York, where Cambodia has asked the United Nations Security Council to help resolve the dispute.

The New York Times

Even as he widens his lead in the polls, Newt Gingrich spends substantial time on an activity that raised questions about his ultimate motive when he was a back-of-the-pack candidate: selling and signing $25 copies of his books.

The New York Times

Many believe Langone's ultimate motive is to get a higher price as well as to needle Goldman Sachs Group for its role as advisor to both buyer and seller though speculation continues to focus on whether he would organize a competing bid.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Regardless of what the ultimate motive might be, all of these monikers prove one important thing: Wolfgang is full of surprises.

Vice

Mr. Karzai's ultimate motives are not always clear.

The New York Times

Some Syrian rebels are skeptical of Nusra's ultimate motives and allegiances because most of the leaders of its units are not even Syrians.

The New York Times

Unless I've missed a vital scene (it has been known), we have no idea what the pair's ultimate motives are.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Sometimes, Bentham appears to allow for a more diverse set of ultimate motives or interests, including other-regarding motives (Principles X 25, X 36 38, XI 31; Table of the Springs of Action II 2).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "ultimate motive" when you need to emphasize the primary and most important driver behind a decision or action.

Common error

Avoid mistaking immediate goals for the broader, more fundamental "ultimate motive". Ensure your analysis goes beyond surface-level explanations to uncover the core driver.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ultimate motive" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the fundamental or most important reason behind an action or decision. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ultimate motive" is a noun phrase used to denote the fundamental reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across different contexts. While more common in News & Media and Science, it's suitable for professional and formal communication. When using this phrase, ensure the core reason is clearly established. Consider alternatives like "true purpose" or "driving force" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

core motivation

Focuses on the essential desire or need driving behavior.

true purpose

Highlights the authentic aim or goal.

end goal

Highlights the desired outcome or objective.

principal aim

Highlights the main goal or intention.

real intention

Focuses on the genuine purpose or plan behind an action.

fundamental objective

Emphasizes the key aim or target.

underlying reason

Emphasizes the fundamental cause or justification.

driving force

Stresses the energy or impetus behind an action.

mainspring of action

Indicates the primary cause or stimulus.

final cause

Refers to the ultimate purpose or reason for something's existence.

FAQs

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

You can use "ultimate motive" to describe the main reason behind someone's actions, such as "The politician's ultimate motive was to gain more power".

What is a good alternative to "ultimate motive"?

Alternatives include "true purpose", "driving force", or "core motivation", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "ultimate motive" and "initial goal"?

"Ultimate motive" refers to the most fundamental reason, while "initial goal" describes the first step taken. The "ultimate motive" might be long-term, whereas the initial goal is short-term.

When should I use "ultimate motive" instead of "primary reason"?

Use "ultimate motive" when you want to emphasize the final or most important reason. "Primary reason" can refer to any significant reason, while "ultimate motive" specifically points to the end goal.