a lofty aspiration

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a lofty aspiration" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to an ambitious or idealistic goal. For example, "She set her sights on a lofty aspiration to become a successful entrepreneur."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That would be a lofty aspiration for a team in the bottom quartile of major league and National League payrolls.

The New York Times

KRISTIANSTAD, Sweden -- When this city vowed a decade ago to wean itself from fossil fuels, it was a lofty aspiration, like zero deaths from traffic accidents or the elimination of childhood obesity.

The New York Times

In the future workplace, an individually determined work-life balance will not be a lofty aspiration, but a shared reality.

Forbes

In an internet era defined by independence, the concept of being self-made has shifted from a lofty aspiration into an attainable business model adopted by many of today's most influential creators.

Forbes

A post-gender world is only a lofty aspiration in 2014, but there is the more tangible fringe queer theory argument that it would be more progressive to forget about matching sex and gender altogether.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Ultimately as a designer you want to create objects that take people somewhere else, that on a model will create a sense of character that makes people think, 'Oh my god, I wanna be that!'" It's a loftier aspiration than churning out clothes that look flattering or sexy – and one the buyers for big stores have learned to appreciate.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seeing a diverse range of disability made the trip a much more personal experience, for all that it compromised any lofty aspirations of a concise statistical evaluation.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

More likely, Obama feels uncomfortable with the prince's refusal to admit to any lofty aspirations or ideals.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the face of it, one trial in 10 years seems a poor record for a court established with the lofty aspiration of bringing perpetrators of genocide and war crimes to justice.

The New York Times

A literature teacher at the academy deals with the imaginative forces of lofty aspiration and earthly truth-telling in an especially germane, intensified community — all the more so in a time of war.

The New York Times - Books

I have never seen a school in Britain, state or independent, with such a high focus on development of character and lofty aspiration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a lofty aspiration", ensure the context clearly conveys the ambitious and idealistic nature of the goal. It's particularly effective when contrasting the aspiration with current realities or practical limitations.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a lofty aspiration" as easily achievable. Its power lies in the tension between ambition and the challenges involved.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a lofty aspiration" functions as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement or object, describing something that someone has or is striving for. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a lofty aspiration" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes an ambitious and idealistic goal. While categorized by Ludwig as rare, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, primarily within news media and academic contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this noun phrase effectively conveys the challenging yet admirable pursuit of a particular aim. When employing this phrase, ensure the ambitious and idealistic nature of the goal is clear, recognizing that its power resides in the tension between aspiration and potential obstacles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a lofty ambition

Uses the word "ambition" which has a nearly identical meaning to "aspiration".

a worthy aspiration

Emphasizes the value or merit of the aspiration.

a high aspiration

Focuses on the elevated nature or level of the aspiration.

a lofty aim

Replaces "aspiration" with "aim", indicating a similar goal-oriented concept.

a laudable aspiration

Similar to "worthy aspiration", highlighting the praiseworthy nature.

a great aspiration

Emphasizes the magnitude or significance of the aspiration.

a grandiose aspiration

Highlights the ambitious or elaborate scale of the aspiration.

a lofty target

Focuses on a specific objective or benchmark that is ambitious.

a large aspiration

Similar to 'great aspiration' but highlights the broadness of the aspiration.

a lofty ideal

Shifts the focus from a specific goal to a more abstract principle or value.

FAQs

How can I use "a lofty aspiration" in a sentence?

You can use "a lofty aspiration" to describe an ambitious or idealistic goal. For instance, "Becoming a world-renowned scientist was "a lofty aspiration" for her."

What are some alternatives to "a lofty aspiration"?

Some alternatives include "a worthy aspiration", "a high aspiration", or "a lofty ambition".

Is it better to say "a high aspiration" or "a lofty aspiration"?

Both "a high aspiration" and "a lofty aspiration" are correct, but "lofty" often suggests a more idealistic or elevated quality than "high".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a lofty aspiration"?

Use "a lofty aspiration" when you want to emphasize the ambitious and idealistic nature of a goal, especially when it seems challenging or difficult to achieve.