a key goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a key goal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize an important objective or aim in a discussion or document. Example: "One of our key goals for this quarter is to improve customer satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But that's a key goal.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gonzalo Castro was a key goal scorer.

The New York Times - Sports

A key goal is to roll back Chinese influence.

The Guardian

Moving to the United States was a key goal.

The New York Times

A key goal is distinguishing complex cases from pure chaos.

Harvard University

So finding ways to desalinate seawater is a key goal.

MIT Technology Review

This is a key goal of anti-corruption groups.

The Guardian

Symptom relief is a key goal of palliative care.

Journal of Pain and Symptom Management

Regeneration is a key goal in the design of immunosensors.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

Higher growth is a key goal of companies, governments, and societies.

Research Policy

"President Xi is right in identifying avoiding that trap as a key goal," Turnbull said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a key goal", clearly define the specific actions or steps needed to achieve it to provide clarity and direction.

Common error

Avoid using "a key goal" for minor or easily achievable objectives; reserve it for truly significant aims to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a key goal" functions as a noun phrase that identifies and emphasizes a particularly important objective or aim. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it often introduces a critical focus area in discussions or planning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a key goal" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the importance of a specific objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While alternatives like "a primary objective" or "a central aim" can be used, "a key goal" effectively signals a critical focus area. Just remember to reserve it for truly significant aims and clearly define the actions needed to achieve it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Focuses on the objective being first in importance.

a central aim

Highlights the aim as being at the center of efforts.

a main purpose

Emphasizes the core reason for doing something.

a major target

Indicates a significant objective to be achieved.

a critical objective

Stresses the importance of the objective for success.

an essential aim

Highlights the necessity of the aim.

a vital target

Emphasizes the crucial nature of the target.

a fundamental purpose

Underlines the foundational aspect of the purpose.

a principal objective

Focuses on the objective being the most important.

a core objective

Highlights the objective as being at the heart of the matter.

FAQs

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

You can use "a key goal" to introduce a very important objective. For example, "A key goal of this project is to increase efficiency".

What can I say instead of "a key goal"?

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

Is it better to say "a key goal" or "the key goal"?

Both "a key goal" and "the key goal" are grammatically correct, but "a key goal" implies there are other important goals as well, while "the key goal" suggests it is the most important goal.

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

While "a key goal" and "a key objective" are often interchangeable, "goal" tends to be broader and more aspirational, while "objective" is usually more specific and measurable.