a specific aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a specific aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a particular goal or objective that one intends to achieve. Example: "The research project has a specific aim to improve the efficiency of renewable energy sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It wasn't, and never had been, natural for me to get on my bike without a specific aim.

The New Yorker

There is no point in practising without concentration, without a specific aim in mind; playing through a piece badly several times will do far more harm than good – it will merely reinforce bad habits, and make them harder to expunge.

The Guardian - Books

Indeed, a specific aim was to introduce more rigour and transparency into a system the Tories believed had been undermined by Mr Blair's casual approach.

The Economist

It is a political choice and, without a specific aim in mind, it will usually be a no-no.America should make it clear that it takes abuse of intelligence-gathering seriously.

The Economist

Behind this move was a specific aim, namely to get the United Nations Security Council to lift its arms embargo on the country.The court only decided on the matter 12 years after the war had finished.

The Economist

Promoting education of American and Mongolian students is a specific aim of the project, and every year a handful of undergraduates from the University of Pennsylvania and the National University of Mongolia are selected to help with the fieldwork in the Dalbay Valley.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Given a number of ligands for a specific target, the aim is to identify the pharmacophore patterns that are responsible for the biological activities of chemical compounds.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The project to create these tools was undertaken with a single, specific aim: to provide a means to examine microbial biofilm structures under multivariate growth and/or exposure conditions.

Biological Procedures Online

Yet, because these considerations represent a translational approach with a very specific aim, only few experimental studies have investigated the effects of the combination of AT1R blockade with AT2R stimulation.

Drugs

My energy was frenetic, scattered - a shotgun blast of pellets into the universe, rather than the clean, hard shot of a rifle bullet aimed at a specific target.

Huffington Post

It is unlikely that miRNAs will be found responsible for a specific phenotype by aiming at a specific target.

EMBO Molecular Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing research proposals or project plans, use "a specific aim" to clearly state each objective. This helps to focus your efforts and allows readers to quickly understand the purpose of your work.

Common error

Avoid using "a specific aim" to introduce broad, undefined goals. Ensure your aims are measurable and achievable, rather than simply stating a general direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a specific aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically used to introduce or define a particular objective or goal. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

65%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a specific aim" is a noun phrase used to clearly define an intended outcome or objective. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct. It is frequently found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its usefulness in formal writing and project planning. When using this phrase, ensure the aim is well-defined, measurable, and achievable. Alternatives include phrases like "a definite goal" or "a particular objective", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a definite goal

Replaces 'aim' with 'goal', suggesting a more concrete objective.

a particular objective

Substitutes 'aim' with 'objective', emphasizing a planned action or result.

a distinct purpose

Replaces 'aim' with 'purpose', highlighting the reason for doing something.

a clear target

Uses 'target' instead of 'aim', focusing on the intended point or object.

a focused intention

Emphasizes the mental state of having a specific plan or desire.

a well-defined objective

Adds 'well-defined' to emphasize the clarity and precision of the objective.

a set purpose

Highlights the fixed or determined nature of the purpose.

a designated target

Suggests that the target has been officially or formally chosen.

a precise objective

Replaces 'specific' with 'precise' focusing in the accuracy and exactness of the aim.

a primary goal

Indicates that the goal is of utmost importance or priority.

FAQs

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

You can use "a specific aim" to introduce the clear objective you intend to achieve. For instance, "A specific aim of this research is to identify new treatment strategies."

What are some alternatives to "a specific aim"?

Alternatives include "a definite goal", "a particular objective", or "a distinct purpose", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "a specific aim" or "a general aim"?

Using "a specific aim" is preferable when you need to emphasize the clarity and precision of your objective. "A general aim" implies a broader, less defined target.

What makes an aim "specific"?

A specific aim is well-defined, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). It clearly states what you intend to accomplish and how you will measure success.