warranted motive

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "warranted motive" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a reason or justification for an action that is deemed appropriate or necessary. Example: "The detective believed that the suspect had a warranted motive for committing the crime, given the circumstances surrounding the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

"A caution is warranted concerning the use of a theme that suggests a morally acceptable motive for the crime.

Huffington Post

Sometimes warranted.

Huffington Post

He is playing roulette with people's retirement, as one Democratic senator has it.Once again, Mr Bush's first-term record, which saw such large tax cuts for the rich, might warrant some suspicion about his motives.

The Economist

"Every story we cover could warrant more," he said "People who are questioning our motives, saying that this trial offends our liberal pieties are wrong".

The New York Times

This does not necessarily mean that such sanctions are wrong or unjustified; the motives of those who oppose them may warrant inspection too.

The Economist

While most states have laws that treat crimes committed because of bias as warranting special or more severe punishment, only New Jersey and North Carolina authorize judges, rather than juries, to make the finding that bias was the motive.

The New York Times

Teams looking for the reason should find th[E MOTIVE ]is within the warrant itself.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But those who were questioned by the warrant squads said the officers had an ulterior motive: gathering intelligence on the Occupy Wall Street protests scheduled for May 1, or May Day.

The New York Times

DealBook »   Did Police Use Warrant Squads to Monitor Protesters?  |  Suspects who were questioned by New York Police Department warrant squads said the officers, who were pursuing minor violations, had an ulterior motive: to collect information about Occupy Wall Street protests scheduled for May 1, The New York Times reports.

The New York Times

Newly released search warrants indicate Hicks' wife suggested the theory of a parking incident as a possible motive.

HuffPost

"We hold that an objectively reasonable arrest and detention of a material witness pursuant to a validly obtained warrant cannot be challenged as unconstitutional on the basis of allegations that the arresting authority had an improper motive," Justice Scalia wrote.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "warranted motive" when you want to convey that a reason or intention behind an action is justified or defensible given the specific circumstances. It implies a degree of reasonableness and acceptability.

Common error

Avoid using "warranted motive" in casual conversation. Simpler terms like "good reason" or "valid explanation" are more appropriate for everyday contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warranted motive" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "warranted" modifies the noun "motive". It describes a reason or justification that is considered acceptable or appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "warranted motive" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that signifies a justified or acceptable reason. Although Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, its frequency is low. It is most appropriate in contexts where a rationale needs to be defended, such as in news reporting or academic analyses. While usable, simpler terms might be preferable in informal settings. Consider related phrases like "justified reason" or "valid motive" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

justified reason

Replaces 'motive' with 'reason' while maintaining the sense of justification.

valid motive

Substitutes 'warranted' with 'valid', emphasizing the legitimacy of the motive.

legitimate cause

Shifts from 'motive' to 'cause', highlighting the lawfulness and acceptability of the reason.

justifiable intent

Replaces 'motive' with 'intent', emphasizing the excusable nature of the reason.

defensible rationale

Uses 'rationale' instead of 'motive', focusing on the reason being capable of being defended.

acceptable justification

Focuses on the 'justification' being acceptable, which is a slight semantic variation.

excusable motivation

Emphasizes that the motivation is something that can be excused or forgiven.

understandable reason

Highlights that the reason is easy to comprehend and empathize with.

sound basis

Emphasizes a solid and reliable reason, differing slightly in connotation from 'motive'.

good grounds

Similar to 'sound basis', but focuses on the existence of sufficient reasons or facts.

FAQs

How to use "warranted motive" in a sentence?

"Warranted motive" is used to describe a reason for doing something that is justified or acceptable. For example: "The detective believed that the suspect had a "warranted motive" for committing the crime, given the circumstances surrounding the case."

What can I say instead of "warranted motive"?

You can use alternatives like "justified reason", "valid motive", or "legitimate cause" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "warranted motive" or "unwarranted motive"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Warranted motive" means a justified reason, while "unwarranted motive" means a reason that lacks justification.

What's the difference between "warranted motive" and "ulterior motive"?

"Warranted motive" implies an open and justifiable reason, while "ulterior motive" suggests a hidden or less acceptable reason.