a secondary aim

USAGE SUMMARY

'a secondary aim' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a goal or objective that is of lesser importance than the primary goal. For example, "The primary aim of this project is to reduce pollution, while a secondary aim is to increase energy efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Making money, at least for themselves, is a secondary aim of the project, they insist.

The New York Times

A secondary aim was to explore the underlying demographic factors associated with the reported injury outcomes.

Injury Epidemiology

A secondary aim was to assess the readability of each patient information leaflet.

Progress in Orthodontics

A secondary aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between alexithymia and temperament.

Plosone

As a secondary aim, we were interested in comparing our method to other approaches.

Plosone

A secondary aim is to identify and remove adenomas.

British Journal of Cancer

A secondary aim is to identify and remove colorectal adenomas.

British Journal of Cancer

A secondary aim is to explore participants' experiences of treatment.

BMJ Open

A secondary aim was to characterize the early childhood diet.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A secondary aim was to assess the antitumour efficacy of DMXAA.

British Journal of Cancer

A secondary aim is to develop a prognostic model for chronic low back.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining research or project objectives, clearly differentiate the primary aim from "a secondary aim" to provide clarity and focus. This helps in managing expectations and prioritizing tasks effectively.

Common error

Avoid presenting "a secondary aim" as equally important as the primary aim. Doing so can dilute the focus of your work and create confusion about the core objectives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a secondary aim" functions as a noun phrase that identifies a goal or objective of lesser importance than the primary aim. It is commonly used to clarify the different levels of objectives in a project, study, or plan. Ludwig examples show this clearly.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

77%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a secondary aim" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to describe a goal of lesser importance compared to a primary objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, particularly in scientific and formal writing. When using this phrase, it's crucial to clearly differentiate it from the primary aim to avoid confusion. Related phrases such as "a supporting objective" or "a supplementary goal" can be used as alternatives depending on the context. Be cautious not to present secondary aims as equal in importance to the primary aim, as this can dilute focus. According to the examples, authoritative sources like The New York Times and various scientific journals commonly employ this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a secondary purpose

This alternative is highly similar, but the word "purpose" might fit some contexts better than "aim".

a supporting objective

This alternative emphasizes the supportive nature of the aim, highlighting its role in contributing to a larger goal.

a supplementary goal

This alternative suggests that the goal is additional and provides extra value to the main objective.

an ancillary target

This alternative implies that the target is subordinate and serves as an auxiliary component of the primary aim.

a minor objective

This alternative directly indicates that the objective is of lesser importance compared to the primary one.

a subordinate purpose

This alternative highlights the hierarchical relationship, where the purpose is dependent on and contributes to a more significant purpose.

an additional intention

This alternative focuses on the intent behind the action, suggesting that it is a supplementary plan.

a related objective

This alternative indicates that the objective is connected to the main aim, but not the central focus.

a less important goal

This alternative explicitly states the reduced significance of the goal.

a side objective

This alternative suggests that the objective is parallel and related, but not directly in the main line.

FAQs

How do you use "a secondary aim" in a sentence?

Use "a secondary aim" to describe a goal that is less important than the primary goal. For example, "The primary goal is to increase sales; "a secondary aim" is to improve customer satisfaction".

What's the difference between "a primary aim" and "a secondary aim"?

"A primary aim" is the main goal, while "a secondary aim" is a supporting or less important goal. Prioritize your primary aim and then focus on secondary ones.

What can I say instead of "a secondary aim"?

You can use alternatives like "a supporting objective", "a supplementary goal", or "a minor objective" to convey "a secondary aim".

Is it acceptable to have multiple secondary aims?

Yes, it is acceptable to have multiple secondary aims, but ensure they are clearly defined and do not overshadow the primary aim. Prioritize them based on their contribution to the main objective.