underlying motives

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "underlying motives" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reasons or intentions that are not immediately obvious or are hidden beneath the surface of someone's actions or decisions. Example: "In analyzing the conflict, it is essential to consider the underlying motives of each party involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

While research on consumer psychology has focused on the underlying motives behind a large variety of human behaviors, there is still a shortage of research on parents' underlying motivations for applying the different feeding practices and styles [ 10].

BioMed Research International

Some detractors will question underlying motives.

Harvard Business Review

Ideas are studied not as underlying motives for action, but in another way.

The New York Times - Books

Banner is less interested in definitively collapsing the poles than in teasing out the contradictions and underlying motives of a complex character.

The New York Times - Books

The regime plays down political news to maintain an image of continuity following Fidel's retirement.The underlying motives for the changes are so far hard to discern.

The Economist

The objective of this research is to obtain insight into the reasons, underlying motives and processes that steer this resistance as they are perceived by the agricultural sector.

Land Use Policy

People attach multiple values to urban green spaces which play varied roles in cities. Properly designed monetary valuation surveys can ascertain their non-market value and underlying motives.

Urban Forestry & Urban Greening

The court said in its 5-4 decision that determining Trump's underlying motives — including about potentially banning Muslim immigration — from his tweets and public comments was beyond its responsibilities.

The Washington Post

After testing, the research team conducted a 30-min interview on each teacher participant to further understand their habits, strategies, and underlying motives in marking students' compositions.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

However, the underlying motives behind the purchase of an ULEV are the desire for transport that produces less CO2 that increases air quality, and that leaves less of a long-term impact on the environment [54].

Urban Rail Transit

Quickly, however, they shifted focus from what we had done wrong to fishing for underlying motives.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "underlying motives" to introduce a discussion of less obvious, more fundamental reasons behind actions.

Common error

Avoid using "motivations" when "motives" is more appropriate. "Motives" refers to the reasons behind an action, while "motivations" describes the general drive or desire to do something. For example, say 'the underlying motives for the decision' not 'the underlying motivations'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "underlying motives" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It highlights the reasons, intentions, or desires that are not immediately apparent and drive actions or decisions. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable English form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "underlying motives" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as validated by Ludwig AI. It serves to dig beneath the surface, uncovering the not-so-obvious intentions behind actions across various fields, including science, news, and formal business settings. As Ludwig examples show, this phrase provides a critical lens for deeper analysis. It's crucial to differentiate "motives" from "motivations" and to recognize that "underlying motives" aren't always negative but can represent a spectrum of intentions, making the phrase a valuable tool for nuanced understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hidden reasons

This alternative emphasizes the concealed aspect of the motives.

latent motivations

This alternative uses a more formal term, "latent", suggesting dormant or not yet revealed motivations.

real intentions

This alternative focuses on the genuine purpose, which might be different from the stated one.

actual reasons

This alternative emphasizes the authenticity of the reasons, often in contrast to perceived or superficial explanations.

secret agendas

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and potentially manipulative set of motives.

true purposes

This alternative underscores the genuine aims that drive actions.

covert motivations

This alternative highlights the concealed and often strategic nature of the motives.

unspoken incentives

This alternative points out the unspoken benefits or rewards that motivate behavior.

implicit objectives

This alternative refers to the unstated goals that guide actions.

driving forces

This alternative presents a more dynamic perspective, focusing on the elements that propel actions forward.

FAQs

How can I identify the "underlying motives" behind someone's actions?

Identifying "underlying motives" requires careful observation, analysis of context, and consideration of potential hidden agendas or incentives. Look for patterns in behavior and inconsistencies between words and actions.

What is the difference between "motives" and "reasons"?

"Reasons" are the stated or apparent justifications for an action, while "underlying motives" are the deeper, often unstated, drivers that influence behavior. "Hidden reasons" may not be immediately obvious.

Are "underlying motives" always negative?

Not necessarily. While "underlying motives" can sometimes involve self-interest or deception, they can also be rooted in altruism, a desire for justice, or other positive intentions.

What are some alternative ways to describe "underlying motives"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "true purposes", "real intentions", or "driving forces" to convey similar meanings.