Master confusing words with ease
Motif vs. Motive
Motif
/məʊˈtiːf/Examples:
The garden's recurring motif was a delicate spiral.Her dress had a floral motif that was quite elegant.His poems often feature the motif of lost time.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Motive
/ˈməʊtɪv/Examples:
'I appreciate your motives.That is one motive.''No motive whatsoever,' I said firmly.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonymsWays to tell them apart:
- Remember that motif often has an artistic or literary connotation, while motive relates to a reason behind actions.
- Motif is mostly used in contexts dealing with patterns or themes, particularly in art or literature.
- You can associate motif with motif in a movie or novel, and motive with motive for a crime.
- Think of motive as motivation, both relating to reasons for actions.
- Both words start with mot, but focus on the ending: -if for repeated instances like themes, -ive for reasons or intents.
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