motive
motive — 形容詞
1. relating to a physical force or source of energy that makes something move or op
動力的
產生或傳遞運動力量的
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.
Padma 研究了蒸汽如何為發電廠的渦輪機提供動力。
collocation: motive power
The wind was the only motive force for the sailing ship crossing the Atlantic.
風是那艘橫渡大西洋的帆船唯一的動力來源。
collocation: motive force
Élise learned about the role of steam as the main motive power during the Industrial Revolution.
Élise 學到蒸汽在工業革命時期扮演了主要的動力來源。
The engineer explained that electricity provides the motive force for most modern trains.
工程師解釋說，電力為大多數現代火車提供了動力。
Motive energy from the river's current was used to run the old mill.
河水的動力被用來運轉那間舊磨坊。
- 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 — 名詞
1. a person's inner reason for deciding to do something, especially something that
動機；原因
促使人行動的內在原因
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.
Christopher 學法文的主要動機是閱讀巴黎作家的原文作品。
motive for + -ing form
The detective searched for a motive behind the robbery at the museum.
偵探在尋找博物館搶案背後的動機。
motive behind + noun
Greta's motive for volunteering at the animal shelter was her deep love for cats and dogs.
Greta 在動物收容所當志工的動機是她對貓狗的深愛。
Sayaka could see no selfish motive behind her colleague's generous offer.
Sayaka 看不出同事慷慨的提議背後有任何自私的動機。
Eli's motive for working late was to finish the design before the Friday meeting.
Eli 加班的動機是在週五會議前完成設計。
- 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
動機；主題
樂曲中反覆出現與發展的短句或旋律
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.
Zola 在音樂會上聽到了那部電影配樂的主要動機。
collocation: main motive
Rania explained how the composer develops the same motive in different keys across the symphony.
Rania 解釋了作曲家如何在整首交響曲中以不同調性發展同一個動機。
Putri could hear the sad motive repeated by the violins in the second section.
Putri 聽到第二樂章中小提琴重複演奏那段悲傷的動機。
The opening motive of the symphony returns powerfully in the final movement.
交響曲開場的動機在最後一個樂章中強有力地再現。
Esme learned that a motive can be as short as two notes in classical music.
Esme 學到古典音樂中一個動機可以短到只有兩個音。
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 — 動詞
1. to give someone a strong inner reason to do something, especially something that
激勵；推動
給予行動的動機或動力
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.
老師鼓勵的話語激勵學生們更認真準備考試。
motive + noun + to-infinitive
The team captain's speech motived the players to give their best effort in the second half.
隊長的一番話激勵球員們在下半場全力以赴。
Dario was motived by his parents' hard work to pursue a career in medicine.
Dario 受到父母努力工作的激勵，選擇從事醫療行業。
What motived the community to raise so much money for the new library?
是什麼激勵了社區為新圖書館募到這麼多錢？
- 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.