motivation

[keitra]

Is there any difference between the following two sentences? "What is your motive?" "What is your motivation?"

[Quizmonster]

In modern usage, both words mean 'incentive'...ie a sort of driving force towards a particular end...so there is really no difference.

[Sylday]

I would depart slightly from what Quizmonster says. I think "motive" is more specific than "motivation". Thus you might say "the murderer's motive was to inherit his victim's wealth"; compared with "the murderer's motivation was greed". Considering your examples, if I was asked "what is your motive?", I would have to respond "for what?". Whereas I would be able to respond directly to "what is your motivation?".

[Quizmonster]

I certainly would not disagree with what Sylday says about the existence of specific differences between the two words in varied circumstances. However, my earlier response pointed out that I was referring to 'modern usage', by which I meant the day-to-day use made of the words in speech. If you look under 'motive' in a thesaurus, you'll find 'motivation' as one of the alternatives. By the same token, looking under 'motivation', you will fine 'motive'. The words are, very largely, synonymous.

[Clanad]

Although I agree with Quizmonster on the synonymity of the two words, I believe they are best seen as opposing one another in that "motive" is more aptly applied to the goal desired whereas "motiviation" defines the drive to that goal, or motivating "force". Small difference, I would agree.