motive
part of speech
noun (motive, motives); adjective (motive – in «motive power»)
meaning for a pupil
1) The reason why someone does something, especially something secret or wrong. tree →
2) (adjective, science) Causing movement: «motive power» drives an engine. tree →
sense in the lessons
In detective stories the key question: «Who had a motive?» – the detective looks for means, motive and opportunity. In ethics lessons: good deeds can have selfish motives, and the same act can be judged differently depending on the motive. In science and history: steam gave motive power to trains. Phrases: «a motive for», «hidden motive», «ulterior motive», «the motive behind».
examples
- The detective asked who had a motive to steal the cake. tree →
- Her motive for helping was to win the prize, not to be kind. tree →
- The police still don't know the motive for the crime. tree →
- What was your motive for getting up so early? tree →
- He had an ulterior motive: he wanted to borrow my bike. tree →
- Steam engines gave motive power to the first trains. tree →
- Kind actions with good motives make the world better. tree →
- But I have sent for you to inquire what was your motive in making such a curious vow. tree →
note
Countable: a motive, motives. Related: «motivation» (the drive to do something) and «motivate». A motive is a reason inside the person; it is not the same as an excuse. «Ulterior motive» = a hidden selfish reason.
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «motive» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.