a main aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a main aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary objective or goal of a project, study, or initiative. Example: "The main aim of this research is to understand the impact of climate change on local ecosystems."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

A main aim, she added, was to make "illegal migration" to Europe from Turkey "legal".

The Guardian

This is an intolerable situation; a main aim of Michelle Bachelet's tax reform is to redress it.

The Economist

He said he thought Russia remained committed to working with NATO on missile defense, a main aim of Mr. Rasmussen's tenure.

The New York Times

A main aim of the commission, and of its keenest supporters, the German government, is to crack down on tax evasion.

The Economist

That does not bode well for undoing ethnic cleansing, a main aim of the Dayton peace accord, but it has helped to get councils up and running.

The Economist

In the late 1970's, a main aim of the federal government's deregulation of the airlines industry was to stimulate competition, and Mr. Kelly won praise for offering reduced fares for tourists and business travelers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

In addition, a second main aim of this work was to use this information to re-define the functional modules as non-discrete entities.

BMC Genomics

In Tilden's book, that is a player's main aim in a match.

The New York Times

Following a urostomy, the main aim from a hygiene perspective is to prevent bacteria from accumulating in the artificial drainage system (splint), e.g. as a result of contaminated urine.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control

As a result, our main aim was to design a program that would be easy to use in a clinical setting.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

But when we met him, he proved to be a likeable and romantic soul, a man whose main aim was helping the guys in his gym to be the best they could possibly be.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When clarifying the "main aim" in a sentence, try to make it measurable. This will help with monitoring its achievement. For instance, instead of saying "A main aim is to improve satisfaction", clarify it as "A main aim is to improve customer satisfaction scores by 15% by the end of Q4."

Common error

Avoid presenting every minor task as "a main aim". Doing so dilutes the true focus and can confuse your audience about the actual priorities. Reserve "a main aim" for the most critical objectives only.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a main aim" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying the principal objective or purpose. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to express the core intention behind an action, project, or study. The examples show how it's used to introduce the central focus of various endeavors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a main aim" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that effectively expresses the primary goal or objective, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly found in scientific, news, and formal business contexts, it serves to clearly communicate the central intention behind a particular action or project. While versatile, it's essential to reserve its use for the most critical objectives to maintain clarity and avoid diluting the focus. Consider alternatives like "a primary objective" or "a key goal" to diversify your language while ensuring precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary objective

Replaces "aim" with "objective", focusing on the intended outcome.

a key goal

Substitutes "main" with "key" and "aim" with "goal", emphasizing importance.

a central purpose

Replaces "main" with "central" and "aim" with "purpose", highlighting the core reason.

a principal target

Substitutes "aim" with "target", suggesting something to be achieved.

a chief objective

Replaces "main" with "chief", emphasizing the highest importance.

a leading goal

Uses "leading" to indicate primary importance, similar to "main".

a foremost aim

Replaces "main" with "foremost", indicating the most important position.

a significant objective

Substitutes "main" with "significant", highlighting the importance of the objective.

a core objective

Emphasizes that the objective is at the very center or foundation.

a fundamental goal

Highlights that the goal is basic and essential.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a main aim" in a sentence?

To effectively use "a main aim", ensure that it clearly defines the primary objective or goal. For example, "A main aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of the new drug" clearly states the study's central purpose.

What are some alternatives to "a main aim"?

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

Is it redundant to say "a main aim and objective"?

While both "aim" and "objective" are similar, using them together can sometimes add emphasis. However, it's often more concise to choose just one term. Consider the specific nuance you want to convey; otherwise, using just "a main aim" or "a main objective" is generally sufficient.

How does "a main aim" differ from "an additional aim"?

"A main aim" refers to the primary or most important goal, whereas "an additional aim" indicates a secondary or supplementary goal. The former is central to the overall purpose, while the latter is supportive or less critical.