a goal which

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a goal which" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when introducing a specific goal that is being described or defined in more detail. Example: "The project aims to achieve a goal which enhances community engagement and participation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The campaign has a goal, which is to attack Hillary.

The New York Times

It was a goal which deserved to win the trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Catt goes to drop a goal, which fails as Waugh knocks it on.

The Guardian - Sport

The continent life is a goal which every healthy young man should strive to reach...

The New York Times

Certainly he was convinced it was a goal which confirmed success and a positive start.

The Guardian - Sport

"They scored a goal which should have been disallowed but that doesn't give me any reason to criticise.

Independent

But Scruton, like Gidley, is now within 80 minutes of realising a goal which has been a lifelong dream.

The Guardian - Sport

"The girls have a goal, which is to establish themselves in society so that people stop discriminating against them".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It was a goal which deserved to monopolise the post-match discussion but it became incidental to football's latest controversy.

The Guardian - Sport

Reid also started the move for Duff's opener, a goal which deserved a bigger audience than this 23,000 crowd.

The Guardian - Sport

We were 1-0 down against a very good Everton side to a goal which we felt was offside.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a goal which" to introduce a specific objective, followed by a relative clause that provides additional information or clarification about the goal. This helps create clear and detailed descriptions of aims and purposes.

Common error

Avoid using "a goal which" in sentences where a simpler construction would suffice. For example, instead of saying "achieving a goal which is difficult", consider "achieving a difficult goal".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a goal which" functions as a relative clause introducer, connecting a noun phrase ("a goal") to a clause that provides further description or specification. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in defining or elaborating on the nature of the goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

23%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a goal which" is a commonly used and grammatically correct relative clause introducer. According to Ludwig, it serves to provide additional context or clarification about a specific objective. Predominantly found in news and media, academic, and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse writing contexts. While effective, writers should be mindful of sentence conciseness and avoid overuse in simpler sentence structures. Consider alternatives like "a goal that" or a more direct adjective-noun construction for increased clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an aim that

Replaces 'goal' with 'aim' and uses 'that' instead of 'which'.

an objective that

Substitutes 'goal' with 'objective' and employs 'that' for a slightly more formal tone.

a purpose that

Replaces 'goal' with 'purpose', indicating intent or reason.

a target that

Uses 'target' instead of 'goal', suggesting a specific, measurable objective.

an ambition that

Replaces 'goal' with 'ambition', implying a strong desire for achievement.

a plan that

Substitutes 'goal' with 'plan', focusing on a structured approach.

a dream that

Replaces 'goal' with 'dream', adding a layer of aspiration or idealism.

an intention that

Substitutes 'goal' with 'intention', emphasizing deliberate purpose.

a desire that

Replaces 'goal' with 'desire', highlighting a wish or yearning.

a mission that

Uses 'mission' instead of 'goal', conveying a sense of purpose or calling.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a goal which" to sound more concise?

For brevity, consider using "a goal that" or simply stating the goal directly with an adjective describing it. For example, instead of "a goal which is ambitious", try "an ambitious goal".

Is "a goal which" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "a goal which" is suitable for formal writing. However, for increased sophistication, you might also consider alternatives like "an objective that" or specifying the goal more directly.

What are some common synonyms for "goal" that can be used with "which"?

Common synonyms for "goal" that work well with "which" include "objective which", "aim which", "target which", and "purpose which". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

When is it better to use "that" instead of "which" after "a goal"?

In modern English, "that" is generally preferred for restrictive clauses (essential to the meaning of the sentence), while "which" is used for non-restrictive clauses (adding extra information). However, with "a goal", both "a goal that" and "a goal which" are common and often interchangeable, especially in less formal contexts.