a chief aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a chief aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a primary goal or objective that someone is striving to achieve. Example: "The organization's chief aim is to promote sustainability and environmental awareness in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Instead, a chief aim was to build political support for a tough American policy against Iraq.

The New York Times

Minority representation was a chief aim of the 1989 overhaul of the City Charter, which expanded the body from 35 members.

The New York Times

A chief aim, aides said, was to enlist Beijing as a partner on the global stage by demanding that it live up to its responsibilities as a rising world power.

The Washington Post

This is a chief aim of the Democrats' bill, but it would require sweeping improvements in efficiency, including higher-quality, lower-cost treatment and better use of technology -- all goals of the legislation, but not about to happen anytime soon.

The New York Times

A chief aim is to counter the "three evil forces" of terrorism, extremism and separatism.Arguably, Chinese investment in Central Asia promotes that goal, by improving living standards and thus stability in a region that shares a 2,800km 1,750-mile 1,750-mileith Xinjiang, China's westernmost province and Uighur homeland.

The Economist

But while a chief aim of the site is ubiquity, that is not yet translating in certain areas: so, for example, there is no news on HotelTonight moving to WindowsPhone or BlackBerry or a web app.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Hill also urged the selection of a "definite chief aim" in life.

HuffPost

Still, when the project was announced a year ago, the chief aim was to reduce congestion, and some argue that this has not been achieved.

The New York Times

Biological Monitoring is a newly published book whose chief aim is to provide an overview on the current knowledge of biological monitoring by evaluating the quality of ecosystems and human health.

Environmental Health Perspectives

BT denies this, of course, and blames a lack of consumer demand.The chief aim of the Earthlease and WestLB bids is to enable real unbundling to go ahead.

The Economist

In 1869 she cofounded, with Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, the National Woman Suffrage Association, whose chief aim was a constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a chief aim", ensure it clearly reflects the single most important objective. Avoid using it when multiple objectives hold equal importance.

Common error

Avoid using "a chief aim" to describe a secondary or supporting goal. This phrase should be reserved for the paramount objective; otherwise, consider using "a significant aim" or "an important goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a chief aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it signifies the primary objective or goal in a given situation. The examples provided by Ludwig illustrate how this phrase is used to define the most important purpose behind an action or initiative.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a chief aim" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to denote the most important objective or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is appropriate for use in professional, academic and news-related contexts. While interchangeable with alternatives like "primary objective" or "main goal", "a chief aim" carries a slightly more formal tone. Use it when clarity and emphasis on the primary goal are paramount, avoiding overuse for secondary objectives. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedia sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Replaces "aim" with "objective", suggesting a specific goal to be achieved.

a main goal

Substitutes "chief aim" with "main goal", emphasizing the desired outcome.

a principal purpose

Uses "principal purpose" instead of "chief aim", indicating the reason for existence or action.

a central focus

Replaces "aim" with "focus", highlighting the key area of attention or effort.

a key objective

Similar to "a primary objective", but uses "key" to denote importance.

the primary intent

Shifts from "aim" to "intent", focusing on the intended outcome or motivation.

the principal intention

Like "the primary intent", but uses "intention" emphasizing a determined purpose.

a foremost concern

Highlights what is most important or of highest priority.

the overriding objective

Indicates the most important objective that takes precedence over others.

the fundamental reason

Focuses on the basic or essential cause or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "a chief aim" in a sentence?

Use "a chief aim" to specify the most important objective or purpose of something. For example, "A chief aim of the project is to improve efficiency."

What are some alternatives to "a chief aim"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary objective", "a main goal", or "a principal purpose" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "chief aim" or "main aim"?

"Chief aim" and "main aim" are largely interchangeable. "Chief aim" may imply a higher degree of importance or dominance than "main aim".

What's the difference between "a chief aim" and "a key objective"?

"A chief aim" refers to the single most important goal, whereas "a key objective" can refer to one of several significant objectives.