a good aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a good aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a goal or objective that is considered positive or desirable. Example: "Setting a good aim for your career can help you stay focused and motivated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

That's a good aim.

The New York Times

Massacre manqué, we might call it – slaughter in all but a good aim.

Independent

Like a longer day, being average is a good aim for now.

The New York Times

I had little experience of archery at the start of my course, other than with a rubbish plastic bow as a child, but I'm quietly confident that I have decent hand-eye coordination and a good aim.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What they aim to achieve when they're making music isn't just about the sound it's more about creating "an expansive, atmospheric world, with a bit of throwback nostalgia", which sounds like a fairly generic thing for a band to say but a good aim nonetheless.

The Guardian

Eagle said company dividends was a good area for Labour to be looking at, but said the proposal was "a stupid way of doing it, and if anyone had asked me, I'd say it was a good aim but you can't do it like that – it's nonsensical".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

All it takes to bag one is a 30-mile trip across the Santa Barbara Channel, a rifle, good aim, a minimum fee of about $8,000 and the existing agreement by the National Park Service to close 45,000 acres of parkland to the public, August through December.

The New York Times

This stage is therefore a good target of interventions aiming to control disease transmission (Aly and Matuschewski, 2005; Churcher et al., 2010; 2013,; Griffin et al., 2010).

Cellular Microbiology

I shot a.22-millimeter and a.25-millimeter and I have a really good aim.

Huffington Post

It got so that I was a pretty good aim and could easily pitch the ball inside the box.

Huffington Post

He's an insider with good aim.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In technical contexts, combine "a good aim" with specific metrics or criteria to quantify success. For example, "Achieving "a good aim" requires consistent data analysis and strategic adjustments."

Common error

Ensure your "a good aim" is specific and measurable. A vague aim like "improving customer satisfaction" should be refined into something like "increasing customer satisfaction scores by 15% in the next quarter".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a good aim" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a positive or desirable goal. As seen in Ludwig, it can be used to describe a plan, a target or even a personal characteristic.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a good aim" is grammatically correct and commonly used to describe a positive or desirable goal. Ludwig examples show the phrase appearing in diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While the phrase's register is neutral, it is often used to express approval of a specific objective or plan. Considering Ludwig's analysis, using more specific aims and goals improves the clarity, and therefore the quality, of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a positive goal

Replaces "good" with "positive", focusing on the favorable outcome.

a worthy objective

Replaces "aim" with "objective", emphasizing the value or merit of the goal.

a beneficial target

Emphasizes the advantageous nature of the target or objective.

a noble purpose

Substitutes "aim" with "purpose", adding a sense of moral high-mindedness.

a worthwhile endeavor

Emphasizes the value and effort involved in pursuing the aim.

a constructive objective

Highlights the building or improving nature of the objective.

a commendable aspiration

Replaces the entire phrase with a more formal and elevated expression.

a sound strategy

Focuses on the strategic aspect of having a well-defined aim.

an admirable intention

Shifts the focus to the underlying intention, highlighting its praiseworthy nature.

a practical design

Switches to the concept of "design" to highlight functional aspects of the aim.

FAQs

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

You can use "a good aim" to describe a positive goal or objective, as in "Setting "a good aim" is crucial for achieving success".

What are some alternatives to "a good aim"?

Alternatives include "a worthy objective", "a noble purpose", or "a positive goal" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "a good aim" or "a great aim"?

Both are acceptable, but "a good aim" is more commonly used and suggests a practical, achievable objective. "A great aim" implies a more ambitious or significant goal.

What's the difference between "a good aim" and "a good intention"?

"A good aim" refers to a specific goal or objective, while "a good intention" refers to a positive underlying motive or purpose. You can have a good intention without having "a good aim".