a central goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'a central goal' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a major or primary goal, usually one that is particularly important to an individual or an organization. For example, one of Jack's central goals is to save enough money to travel around the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Becoming an accomplished sailor was always a central goal.

The New York Times - Sports

Locking in Russian support for sanctions was a central goal of the Washington's "reset" with Moscow.

The New York Times

A central goal, lobbyists say, is to tame unfinished rules that rein in derivatives trading.

The New York Times

A central goal of the democracy movement has been to eliminate the professional constituencies.

The New York Times

As a result, understanding and controlling inflammation has become a central goal of modern medical investigation.

The New Yorker

A central goal of the anti-Romney commercials is to cross-pressure these whites.

The New York Times

This was clearly a central goal of Dr. Soetoro's work and life.

The New York Times

President Mikheil Saakashvili of Georgia has made reunification a central goal.

The New York Times

A central goal, as he puts it, is to minimize the alienation.

The New York Times

Educating youths to respect copyrights is a central goal of the program, officials said.

The New York Times - Arts

It should be a central goal of any progressive movement, and of any responsible government.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a central goal" to clearly define and communicate your most important objective. This creates focus and allows stakeholders to easily grasp the primary direction.

Common error

Avoid diluting the impact of your central goal by elevating minor objectives to the same level of importance. Keep the focus narrow and well-defined, not diffused across many aims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a central goal" functions as a noun phrase. It identifies a specific objective that is of primary importance. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used to denote a major or principal objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

26%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a central goal" is a commonly used noun phrase that signifies a primary or major objective. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is considered grammatically correct. As demonstrated through examples from news, science, and formal business contexts, it's versatile and applicable across diverse scenarios. To effectively use this phrase, ensure that the designated central goal is distinct, well-supported by related objectives, and crucial to achieving broader aims. Remember not to overstate less important objectives as the "central goal", as this would dilute its meaning and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Replaces "goal" with "objective" and "central" with "primary", emphasizing the importance of the aim.

a key objective

Substitutes "central" with "key", highlighting the crucial nature of the goal.

a main aim

Replaces "goal" with "aim" and "central" with "main", focusing on the principal purpose.

a core focus

Uses "focus" instead of "goal" and "core" instead of "central", indicating a fundamental point of attention.

a principal target

Replaces "goal" with "target" and "central" with "principal", suggesting a key objective to be achieved.

a chief priority

Substitutes "goal" with "priority" and "central" with "chief", highlighting the most important concern.

a leading ambition

Replaces "goal" with "ambition" and "central" with "leading", emphasizing the driving force.

a dominant purpose

Uses "purpose" instead of "goal" and "dominant" instead of "central", indicating the overriding intention.

a fundamental intent

Replaces "goal" with "intent" and "central" with "fundamental", emphasizing the basic underlying plan.

a crucial endeavor

Substitutes "goal" with "endeavor" and "central" with "crucial", highlighting a critical undertaking.

FAQs

How can I use "a central goal" in a sentence?

You can use "a central goal" to describe the most important objective in a project, strategy, or personal endeavor. For example, "A central goal of the company is to increase revenue by 20%."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "a central goal"?

Alternatives include "a primary objective", "a key objective", or "a main aim", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the central goal is" instead of "a central goal is"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "a central goal" is used when introducing one of possibly many significant goals, while "the central goal" implies it is the single, most important goal.

How does "a central goal" differ from "a secondary goal"?

"A central goal" refers to the main, most important objective, while a secondary goal is a less critical aim that supports the central one but is not the primary focus.