以上两个词意思虽然相近，但对英语国家的人来说却是完全不同的单词，一般情况下都能明确区分。
motive是驱使人采取某种行动如复仇、爱、憎恶、嫉妒等的内部动机，而incentive则常常来自外部，通常指特殊补贴、奖金等，诱使人更卖力地工作，所以说比motive更带功利性。
Motive usually originates from within in the form of revenge,love,or so forth.Incentive is usually from the outside and is often used to make someone work harder.