Motive meaning in English
Learn how to use Motive correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
the motive: the incentive, the reason why someone does something; the goal, the aim
Examples
- "Everyone in this room has a motive for killing Stink... including you Brian Jones!"
- "Authorities don't yet know who is behind the virus, but they do know the motive: to steal people's money."
- "Everyone in this room has a motive for killing Stink... including you, Brian Jones!"
- "So you too have a motive for killing the dog!"
- "sounds like you have a motive too, Edward!"
- "You each had the opportunity - and motive - to kill Stink... but now I'm going to tell you exactly who committed the terrible crime of doggy murder!"
- "Lucie : Hmm. Sounds like you have a motive too, Edward!"
Exercise 1
Complete the story using the terms listed below. Be careful: verbs may need to be conjugated.
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the of crime. I've recently an investigation into a man suspected of . He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his is money. This man's has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the of crime. I've recently an investigation into a man suspected of . He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his is money. This man's has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
Complete the story using the terms listed below. Be careful: verbs may need to be conjugated.
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the perpetrators 1 of crime. I've recently launched 2 an investigation into a man suspected of fraud 3. He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his motive 4 is money. This man's scam 5 has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the perpetrators 1 of crime. I've recently launched 2 an investigation into a man suspected of fraud 3. He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his motive 4 is money. This man's scam 5 has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
1 perpetrators: "Perpetrators" is the term we were looking for here. The "perpetrator (of a crime)" is the person who "commits" or "does" this action. The related verb "to perpetrate" has a negative connotation, often involving crime. Here's another example: "Richard was the perpetrator of the biggest bank robbery of all time".
2 launched: "Launched" is the right choice. To "launch (an investigation)" is to "start" or "begin" it. Similarly, "to launch (a product)" is to release it onto the market. Another example: "The Delavigne Corporation plans to launch two new perfumes this summer".
3 fraud: "Fraud" is the correct answer. "Fraud" is an illegal activity involving deceiving or tricking someone in order to gain something: usually money. Here's another example: "My boss has been found guilty of fraud: he'd been falsifying the company accounts for years!".
4 motive: "Motive" is the best choice here. Someone's "motive" is their reason for doing something, or their "motivation". "Motive" is often used in a criminal context: "The police know that I had a motive and opportunity to kill my uncle: I need you to be my alibi!".
5 scam: "Scam" is the term we were looking for here. A "scam" is a fraudulent business plan or scheme designed to cheat or obtain money from an unsuspecting person. The related verb to "scam" is the act of tricking or fooling a person out of their money or valuables. Here's another example: "I'm the victim of an online scam: a kid in Ohio took all my money!"
Exercise 2
Complete the story using the terms listed below. Be careful: verbs may need to be conjugated.
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the of crime. I've recently an investigation into a man suspected of . He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his is money. This man's has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the of crime. I've recently an investigation into a man suspected of . He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his is money. This man's has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
Complete the story using the terms listed below. Be careful: verbs may need to be conjugated.
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the perpetrators 1 of crime. I've recently launched 2 an investigation into a man suspected of fraud 3. He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his motive 4 is money. This man's scam 5 has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
fraud | perpetrators | to launch | to spread | motive | scam
My name is Dick Lacey, and I'm a private investigator. Every day I try to catch the perpetrators 1 of crime. I've recently launched 2 an investigation into a man suspected of fraud 3. He's been accused of tricking little old ladies into giving him their life savings. So far, all I know is that he wants to be rich: his motive 4 is money. This man's scam 5 has been very effective so far, but I'm determined to stop this racket if it's the last thing I do!
1 perpetrators: "Perpetrators" is the term we were looking for here. The "perpetrator (of a crime)" is the person who "commits" or "does" this action. The related verb "to perpetrate" has a negative connotation, often involving crime. Here's another example: "Richard was the perpetrator of the biggest bank robbery of all time".
2 launched: "Launched" is the right choice. To "launch (an investigation)" is to "start" or "begin" it. Similarly, "to launch (a product)" is to release it onto the market. Another example: "The Delavigne Corporation plans to launch two new perfumes this summer".
3 fraud: "Fraud" is the correct answer. "Fraud" is an illegal activity involving deceiving or tricking someone in order to gain something: usually money. Here's another example: "My boss has been found guilty of fraud: he'd been falsifying the company accounts for years!".
4 motive: "Motive" is the best choice here. Someone's "motive" is their reason for doing something, or their "motivation". "Motive" is often used in a criminal context: "The police know that I had a motive and opportunity to kill my uncle: I need you to be my alibi!".
5 scam: "Scam" is the term we were looking for here. A "scam" is a fraudulent business plan or scheme designed to cheat or obtain money from an unsuspecting person. The related verb to "scam" is the act of tricking or fooling a person out of their money or valuables. Here's another example: "I'm the victim of an online scam: a kid in Ohio took all my money!"
Exercise 3
Crime Time!
Choose the best definitions for the terms used in this article.
A man was assaulted --> A man was .
The weapons in the crime--> The in the crime.
Police are still looking for clues --> Police are still looking for .
Witnesses reported seeing an altercation --> reported seeing an altercation.
Choose the best definitions for the terms used in this article.
A man was assaulted --> A man was .
The weapons in the crime--> The in the crime.
Police are still looking for clues --> Police are still looking for .
Witnesses reported seeing an altercation --> reported seeing an altercation.
Crime Time!
Choose the best definitions for the terms used in this article.
A man was assaulted --> A man was attacked 1.
The weapons in the crime--> The arms 2 in the crime.
Police are still looking for clues --> Police are still looking for helpful information 3.
Witnesses reported seeing an altercation --> Observers 4 reported seeing an altercation.
Choose the best definitions for the terms used in this article.
A man was assaulted --> A man was attacked 1.
The weapons in the crime--> The arms 2 in the crime.
Police are still looking for clues --> Police are still looking for helpful information 3.
Witnesses reported seeing an altercation --> Observers 4 reported seeing an altercation.
1 attacked: An "assault" and an "attack" are synonymous in this context. Both terms describe physical confrontations in which one person is aggressed or hit by another. This article describes the "assault" of one bar patron by another. The term can be used as a verb ("She assaulted me") or a noun ("I accused him of assault").
1 robbed : To "rob" describes the act of "stealing" money and valuables. For example: I was robbed by two men. They took my diamond necklace and my purse. "Robbery" is not the same as an assault, which describes a physical attack.
1 threatened: To "threaten (someone)" is to "menace" them, or "to warn them of future danger". For example, "the company threatened to fire the employee if he was caught stealing again". "To threaten" and "to assault" are two different actions.
2 arms: An "arm" describes a weapon such as a gun, knife, sword etc, as does a "weapon". Note that an "arm" is also the part of the body: an appendage which connects the "hand" to the "shoulder".
2 motives: In the context of crime, a "motive" describes a reason or motivation to commit a crime. For example, the "motive" of the murder was revenge. The term is not synonymous with "a weapon".
2 suspects: In the context of crime and law enforcement, a "suspect" describes a person believed or though to have committed a crime. For example: The suspect in this case has many reasons to attack his boss. The term is unrelated to a "weapon".
3 helpful information: This is correct. A "clue" describes helpful information, or information which provides insight or knowledge to a puzzle or problem. For example: I am looking for clues; I have no idea where this money came from. Note that "clue" and "lead" are synonymous in this article.
3 the suspect: In the context of crime and law enforcement, a "suspect" describes a person believed or though to have committed a crime. For example: The suspect in this case has many reasons to attack his boss. The term is unrelated to a "clue".
3 the victim: A "victim" describes the person to whom a crime or action has been committed, as opposed to an "assailant", "perpetrator" or "suspect". The term is not synonymous with "a weapon".
4 Observers: In the context of crime and law enforcement, a "witness" describes a person who observed or saw a crime being committed. "Witnesses" are essential for police investigations and trials as they can prove or disprove the accusations against someone. In this article, there were no "witnesses" of the crime which took place in the bar.
4 Civilians: A "civilian" describes a regular person in a community (city, state or country), generally one who is unaffiliated with law enforcement or the military. In other words, a civilian is NOT affiliated with the police or military.
4 Patrons: A "patron" describes a customer or client, generally one in a bar or restaurant. Example: The bar patrons all knew the bartender's name.
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