motive
motive — adjective
- motivepositive
- more motivecomparative
- most motivesuperlative
1. relating to a physical force or source of energy that makes something move or op
relating to a physical force or source of energy that makes something move or operate — for example, the steam that drives a train engine or the wind that turns a windmill's blades.
Padma studied how steam provides motive power for the turbines at the power plant.
collocation: motive power
The wind was the only motive force for the sailing ship crossing the Atlantic.
collocation: motive force
Élise learned about the role of steam as the main motive power during the Industrial Revolution.
The engineer explained that electricity provides the motive force for most modern trains.
Motive energy from the river's current was used to run the old mill.
- driving
more general; 'driving force' can be physical or metaphorical
- moving
simpler but less common in this technical use; 'moving parts' focuses on the parts themselves, not the energy
- propulsive
more formal and technical; limited to contexts of thrust or forward motion
- stationary
describes something not moving, rather than a force
文法句型
motive + noun
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used before a noun, most commonly with 'power', 'force', or 'energy'. It appears in technical or historical discussions of engines, machinery, and natural energy sources.
常見錯誤
motive — noun
- motivesingular
- motivesplural
1. a person's inner reason for deciding to do something, especially something that
a person's inner reason for deciding to do something, especially something that affects other people — for example, the reason someone commits a crime, helps a stranger, or chooses a career path.
Christopher's main motive for studying French was to read original works by Parisian writers.
motive for + -ing form
The detective searched for a motive behind the robbery at the museum.
motive behind + noun
Greta's motive for volunteering at the animal shelter was her deep love for cats and dogs.
Sayaka could see no selfish motive behind her colleague's generous offer.
Eli's motive for working late was to finish the design before the Friday meeting.
- reason
more general and neutral; does not imply deep personal drive or moral weight
- motivation
more about internal drive and enthusiasm; broader and more positive than 'motive'
- grounds
more formal, often used in legal contexts; 'grounds for suspicion'
- incentive
focuses on an external reward or benefit rather than an inner reason
- deterrent
something that discourages action rather than encourages it
文法句型
motive for + noun/-ing
motive behind + noun
no/clear/ulterior motive
用法筆記
Frequently appears in crime, investigation, and psychology contexts. Often paired with adjectives like 'clear', 'obvious', 'hidden', 'selfish', or 'ulterior'. The construction 'motive for + noun/-ing' is the most common pattern.
常見錯誤
2. a short, memorable pattern of notes or melodic idea that is introduced and then
a short, memorable pattern of notes or melodic idea that is introduced and then developed, varied, or repeated throughout a longer piece of music.
Zola recognized the main motive from the film score when it played at the concert.
collocation: main motive
Rania explained how the composer develops the same motive in different keys across the symphony.
Putri could hear the sad motive repeated by the violins in the second section.
The opening motive of the symphony returns powerfully in the final movement.
Esme learned that a motive can be as short as two notes in classical music.
文法句型
the + adjective + motive
motive + verb (appears/returns/repeats)
用法筆記
In music analysis, 'motive' and 'motif' are often used interchangeably, though 'motif' is more common in modern writing. This sense is distinct from the everyday meaning of 'motive' (a reason for action) and belongs to specialist musical vocabulary.
motive — verb
- motivepresent simple I / you / we / they
- motives3rd person singular
- motiving-ing form
- motivedpast simple
1. to give someone a strong inner reason to do something, especially something that
to give someone a strong inner reason to do something, especially something that requires effort or determination — a rarer equivalent of 'motivate'.
The teacher's encouraging words motived the students to prepare more carefully for the exam.
motive + noun + to-infinitive
The team captain's speech motived the players to give their best effort in the second half.
Dario was motived by his parents' hard work to pursue a career in medicine.
What motived the community to raise so much money for the new library?
- discourage
to make someone less willing to do something
文法句型
motive + noun + to-infinitive
be motived by + noun
用法筆記
This verb is very rare in modern English; 'motivate' is preferred in almost all contexts. When 'motive' does appear as a verb, it is typically in formal or literary writing. The past tense 'motived' follows regular verb patterns.