Cool MateIntent vs Motive
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Intent
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Motive
Top 1,000 (very common)C1noun
Most common: Motive
| Intent | Motive | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtent/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtent/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈməʊtɪv/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈməʊtɪv/"]/ |
| Meaning | What you plan or want to do. | The reason someone does something. |
| Example | She denies possessing the drug with intent to supply. | The detective was trying to find the motive behind the crime. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | clear intent, malicious intent, express intent, stated intent, intent to marry | hidden, ulterior, good, be inspired by, have, establish, drive somebody/something, motive in, motive behind, motive for, a variety of motives |
| Antonyms | indifference, unconcern, apathy | apathy, indifference |
| Common mistakes | 'Intent' is confused with 'intention' — 'intention' is the more common noun., Using 'intents' as a plural — 'intent' is usually used as singular., Mixing it up with 'interest' — they have different meanings. | Confused with 'motive' vs 'motif' (artistic theme), Using 'motive' for general causes instead of specific reasons, Incorrectly pluralizing as 'motives' when referring to a singular reason |
| Usage notes | Use 'intent' in formal contexts when discussing plans or purposes. It sounds more serious than 'wish' or 'want'. Avoid in casual conversations. | Used in both formal and informal settings. Common in discussions about reasons behind actions, but avoid in casual conversations unless discussing motivations seriously. |
Frequently asked questions: Intent vs Motive
What's the difference between Intent and Motive?
Intent: What you plan or want to do. Motive: The reason someone does something.
Which is more common: Intent and Motive?
Motive is the most common in everyday English.
Are Intent and Motive the same CEFR level?
Intent: C1, Motive: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Intent and Motive?
Intent: noun, Motive: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Intent: She denies possessing the drug with intent to supply. Motive: The detective was trying to find the motive behind the crime.
Can I use Intent and Motive interchangeably?
Not always. Intent and Motive are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.