I was targeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was targeting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific goal or audience that one aimed to reach or influence in the past. Example: "In my marketing campaign, I was targeting young adults who are interested in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

I was targeting people who bought designer brands.

Independent

"I was targeting him from the beginning," Mr. Bedzow said in an interview.

The New York Times

There have been many times I thought I knew who I was targeting but then noticed something about the service or product that appealed to another market.

The Guardian

It was a done deal, so that was the level I was targeting – but sometimes you don't get deals done; the Cesc one was disappointing, it was very close.

The Guardian - Sport

"In both of those instances I knew how to do business plans and I knew what I was targeting.

BBC

After those first few discouraging months, I realized that part of the problem was that I was targeting the wrong investors.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"This seems to bolster the view that I was targeted by the government," Mr. Risen said.

The New York Times

"I was targeted more, but I was also relaxed compared with others who didn't do that.

The Guardian

"I felt like I was targeted".

Vice

I was targeted by a sniper more than six times.

Vice

"It became scary, because I was targeted for being Jewish, but also I was specifically targeted," she said.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a past marketing strategy, use "I was targeting" to clearly indicate the intended audience or customer base.

Common error

Avoid using "targeting" when referring to current or future actions. Use "I am targeting" or "I will be targeting" instead to maintain correct tense.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was targeting" serves as a verb phrase indicating a past action of directing efforts towards a specific objective or demographic. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it illustrates a focused intent in prior activities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was targeting" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe a past action of directing efforts towards a specific goal or demographic. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. Found primarily in News & Media, with secondary use in Science, it conveys a sense of focused intent in prior activities. While alternative phrases like "I aimed at" or "I focused on" exist, "I was targeting" clearly communicates a past strategy or objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I aimed at

Replaces "targeting" with a more direct verb, emphasizing the act of aiming.

I focused on

Shifts the emphasis to concentration and attention on a particular objective.

I was aiming for

Similar to "I aimed at", but with a slight difference in nuance, suggesting an aspirational quality.

I sought to reach

Highlights the attempt to connect with or influence a specific group.

I intended to influence

Emphasizes the intention to have an effect on a particular group or outcome.

My target demographic was

Focuses on the identification of a specific group to be addressed.

I was geared towards

Suggests that efforts were specifically tailored to a certain audience or objective.

I had in my sights

Implies a deliberate and focused effort toward achieving a particular goal.

I had set my sights on

Similar to "I had in my sights", but suggests a longer-term objective.

I was after

More informal, indicating an attempt to obtain or achieve something.

FAQs

What does "I was targeting" mean?

The phrase "I was targeting" means that in the past, you were focusing your efforts or actions towards a specific goal, audience, or demographic.

What can I say instead of "I was targeting"?

You can use alternatives like "I aimed at", "I focused on", or "I was aiming for" depending on the context.

How do I use "I was targeting" in a sentence?

You can use "I was targeting" to describe past strategies or objectives. For example, "In my marketing campaign, I was targeting young adults interested in technology."

What's the difference between "I was targeting" and "I am targeting"?

"I was targeting" refers to a past action or strategy, while "I am targeting" refers to a current or ongoing action.