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# motive

noun (motive, motives); adjective (motive – in «motive power»)

«motive» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The reason why someone does something, especially something secret or wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#m1)
2. (adjective, science) Causing movement: «motive power» drives an engine. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#m2)

### 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 →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x1)
- Her motive for helping was to win the prize, not to be kind. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x2)
- The police still don't know the motive for the crime. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x3)
- What was your motive for getting up so early? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x4)
- He had an ulterior motive: he wanted to borrow my bike. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x5)
- Steam engines gave motive power to the first trains. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x6)
- Kind actions with good motives make the world better. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x7)
- But I have sent for you to inquire what was your motive in making such a curious vow. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/#x8)

### 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.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «motive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/motive/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«motive» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/motive.html) on Mova free.