To aspire for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To aspire for" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct usage is "to aspire to." Example: "She aspires to become a successful author one day."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

From a defensive point of view, England DNA seems to aspire for style over solidity.

The Guardian - Sport

The role of leader is one of the greatest honours imaginable – but it is not a bauble to aspire for.

The Guardian - Opinion

I guess the good thing is that it gives people something to aspire for … so it's not entirely a bad thing".

The Guardian - Arts

Two weeks later, his parents were told their son was in the basic parameters to aspire for gold at London 2012, a trio of coaches talking to the three of them at the family home in Surbiton.

Independent

He turned around in the last scene, when his character informed Edgardo of Lucia's death, and he showed real vocal excellence: heights to aspire for, and probably a taste of what's ahead.

The New York Times - Arts

In the majority's view, desegregation was no longer a state for America to aspire for and work toward, but a punishment imposed on districts that had once done wrong, to be lifted as soon as possible.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It's something to aspire to, for sure.

WikiHow

The people to aspire to for self-sufficiency are the Amish.

WikiHow

Then he was someone for Jeremy to aspire to and for the audience to think: "Where did that guy come from?" J Johnson performs the same function for Mark.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

In response to the last request, Clement Moore wrote back advising him not to "aspire to acquire for yourself alone the whole glory of the universe".

The New Yorker

There's no Jessica Ennis or Victoria Pendleton to aspire to or root for because these events include male competitors only.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "to aspire to" instead of "to aspire for". The correct phrasing is "She aspires to become a successful author one day."

Common error

Avoid using "for" after "aspire". The correct preposition is "to". For example, instead of saying "He aspires for a promotion", say "He aspires to a promotion".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to aspire for" functions as a prepositional phrase indicating an aim or ambition towards something. However, Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is not standard English. While it appears in various contexts, its grammatical incorrectness undermines its effectiveness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Wiki

12%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "to aspire for" appears in various sources, including news and media, it's grammatically incorrect. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, the correct usage is "to aspire to". Therefore, it's essential to avoid using "to aspire for" in your writing and opt for the grammatically sound alternative, or consider using phrases like "to strive for" or "to aim for" to convey the intended meaning accurately. Remember that precision in language enhances clarity and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To strive for

Replaces "aspire" with "strive", emphasizing effort and determination but maintaining the preposition 'for'.

To aim for

Uses "aim" instead of "aspire", suggesting a more targeted and direct pursuit of a goal but maintaining the preposition 'for'.

To pursue

Focuses on the action of pursuing without specifying the preposition, making it more concise.

To seek

Emphasizes the act of seeking, implying a quest or search for something.

To work towards

Highlights the gradual process of moving towards a goal through effort and dedication.

To reach for

Suggests an attempt to grasp or obtain something, often something ambitious or challenging but maintaining the preposition 'for'.

To go after

Implies a dynamic and active chase of a desired outcome.

To try for

Indicates an attempt or effort to achieve something, often in a competitive context but maintaining the preposition 'for'.

To have a yen for

Uses more descriptive and figurative language, implying a strong craving or desire.

To set one's sights on

Highlights the act of fixing one's attention and ambition on a specific goal.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "aspire" with a preposition?

The correct way to use "aspire" with a preposition is with "to", not "for". For example, say "I aspire to greatness", not "I aspire for greatness".

What can I say instead of "to aspire for"?

While "to aspire for" is not grammatically correct, you can use alternatives like "to strive for", "to aim for", or simply "to pursue" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to aspire to" or "to aspire for"?

"To aspire to" is the correct form. "To aspire for" is grammatically incorrect. Therefore, it is better to use "to aspire to".

How can I remember the correct usage of "aspire"?

Think of "aspire to" as similar to "reach to" or "aim to". This parallel structure can help you remember that "to" is the correct preposition to use with "aspire".