motive
gb/mˈoʊtɪv/ us/mˈoʊtɪv/
B1
Inglese
~ 3000
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Sostantivo
B1
entity
1
Reason for an action
The reason why someone does something.
Schema d'uso:
[someone]'s motive for [doing something]
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'motive' with 'motivation'. 'Motive' is the specific reason for an action, while 'motivation' can mean general desire or willingness.
Sinonimi
reason (More general term for why something is done; less often implies secrecy or suspicion.)
|
purpose (More formal or abstract term, often without negative connotation.)
Contrari
disinterest (Lack of personal reason or stake in doing something.)
Collocazioni
hidden motive
|political motive
|financial motive
|question someone's motive
|have a motive
Temi
emotions
|crime
|psychology
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Esempi
- The police are still trying to determine the killer's motive.
- Her motive for volunteering was to gain experience.
- He had no financial motive for the crime.
- Some questioned the company's motive for donating money.
- The detective searched for a possible motive behind the attack.
Esempi per chi studia
- The police do not know the motive.
- I think his motive is to help people.
- She told me her motive for moving to the city.
- They want to find the motive for the crime.
Sostantivo
technical
B2
entity
2
Recurring theme in art/music
A short part of music or art that repeats and is important.
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse 'motive' with 'motif', which is the more common spelling for this artistic sense.
Sinonimi
theme (Broader term; may refer to longer or more complex ideas in art or music.)
Collocazioni
musical motive
|recurring motive
|central motive
Temi
music
|art
|arts_entertainment
|education
Esempi
- The composer used a simple four-note motive throughout the symphony.
- A recurring floral motive appears in her paintings.
- The novel's central motive is the search for identity.
Esempi per chi studia
- The song has a short motive that repeats.
- There is a flower motive in the design.
- This story has a love motive that comes again and again.
Grammatica
Forma base
motive
IPA
GB/mˈoʊtɪv/
US/mˈoʊtɪv/
Sillabe e accento
motive (1 sillaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (motive)
Forme flesse
Noun
- Base: motive
- Plural: motives
Famiglia di parole
Forms
motives
noun
Core family
Related words
motivator
noun
motivating
adjective
Negative and opposite forms
unmotivated
adjective
demotivate
verb
demotivating
adjective
Advanced or less common
motiveless
adjective
Espressioni
motive power
1/mˈoʊtɪv pˈaʊɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
Power that moves machinery
Energy or force that makes a machine or vehicle move.
Esempi
- Steam engines provided the motive power for early trains.
- Electricity is now the main source of motive power in factories.