under the motto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "under the motto" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to introduce a saying or phrase that is meant to summarize or guide the action or beliefs of a particular group. For example, "The university's mission is to provide accessible, affordable higher education for all students, under the motto 'Knowledge for Everyone.'".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It continued to operate under the motto, "Omnia, Omnibus, Ubique," — all things for all people, everywhere.

The New York Times

Luke's season, which aimed to represent composers' intentions about their orchestras under the motto "Original Size".

The New York Times - Arts

This is politics under the motto of paralysis: Should I stay or should I go?

The New York Times - Magazine

Capitalizing on this sentiment, Wade drew support from a coalition of opposition parties under the motto of "Sopi" (Wolof: "change").

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Scott's National Detection of Deception Laboratories operated under the motto "Diogenes searched for them — We find them".

The New York Times - Books

Le Pen spoke at a meeting in Vienna of rightwing and Eurosceptic parties convened under the motto "patriotic spring".

The Guardian

The original Boston Tea Party was colonists throwing tea into the harbor under the motto "No taxation without representation".

The New York Times

Zach Wahls, whose group has been working for more inclusive rules under the motto, "A scout is equal," said he applauded the change.

The New York Times

Held in Greece for the first time since their modern reincarnation in Athens in 1896, the Olympics took place under the motto "welcome home".

The Guardian - Sport

At the very least, such score-settling should stop this weekend's festivities, taking place under the motto "courage for freedom", from turning into a merely nostalgic affair.

The Guardian

They all operate under the motto, "if you don't have the cojones for this baby, then don't get behind the wheel".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under the motto" to clearly indicate the guiding principle or slogan behind an organization, campaign, or individual's actions. This helps provide context and understanding to the audience.

Common error

Avoid using "under the motto" when referring to informal or trivial sayings. A motto should represent a fundamental belief or guiding principle, not just a catchy phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under the motto" functions as a prepositional phrase that introduces and clarifies the guiding principle or slogan that governs an entity's actions or beliefs. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is a grammatically sound and commonly used construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

16%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Science

11%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "under the motto" is a grammatically correct and widely used prepositional phrase that introduces a guiding principle or slogan. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage. It's frequently found in news, encyclopedias, and business contexts, serving to clarify the motivations and values behind an entity's actions. While versatile, it is most appropriate when referring to a core belief rather than a trivial saying, ensuring the motto carries significant weight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guided by the slogan

Changes "under the motto" to "guided by the slogan", emphasizing the guiding aspect of the motto.

with the guiding phrase

Substitutes "under the motto" with "with the guiding phrase", indicating a general sense of direction.

with the watchword

Replaces "motto" with "watchword", suggesting a more vigilant or cautious approach.

following the principle

Substitutes "motto" with "principle", highlighting a fundamental belief or rule.

operating under the banner

Uses "banner" instead of "motto", suggesting a more public or visible declaration.

based on the axiom

Changes "motto" to "axiom", suggesting a self-evident truth or assumption.

in accordance with the maxim

Replaces "under the motto" with "in accordance with the maxim", indicating a formal adherence to a general truth or rule.

embracing the ideal

Substitutes "under the motto" with "embracing the ideal", highlighting the espoused value.

using the tagline

Changes "motto" to "tagline", implying a marketing or branding message.

centered around the theme

Changes "motto" to "theme", suggesting a unifying subject or idea.

FAQs

How do I use "under the motto" in a sentence?

Use "under the motto" to introduce a phrase or saying that encapsulates the guiding principle of an entity, such as "The organization operated "under the motto" 'Service Above Self'.

What phrases are similar to "under the motto"?

Similar phrases include "guided by the slogan", "with the watchword", or "following the principle", all of which indicate a guiding philosophy.

Is "under the motto" formal or informal?

"Under the motto" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the subject matter and the nature of the motto itself. It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and business reports.

Can "under the motto" be used to describe personal beliefs?

Yes, you can use "under the motto" to describe personal beliefs or guiding principles. For example, "He lived "under the motto" 'Live and let live', always respecting others' choices".