aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'aim' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as both a noun and a verb. Example sentence (as a noun): My aim is to succeed in life. Example sentence (as a verb): They are aiming to become the new global leader in innovation.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Engineers are on site and we aim to resume services as quickly as possible.

The Guardian

That's the aim".

The New York Times

We take any complaint seriously and will aim to investigate and respond as quickly as possible and in any event within 28 days.

The Guardian

A precociously gifted student, Schiele soon attracted the attention of Gustav Klimt, the pre-eminent artist of the Secession movement – an artistic revolution that covered many art forms, all driven by the basic aim of rejecting Beaux-Arts classicism and stuffy Salon mediocrity.

The Guardian - Arts

Based on research that showed that half of readers read the newspaper in the evening, the aim was to create a title that would be "as relevant at 9am as 9pm".

The Guardian

The first aim was, in the new spirit of socialism sweeping the land under Mitterrand, to demystify the impenetrable secrets of official France.

The Guardian

The president of Sierra Leone will launch a massive campaign on Wednesday to curb the spread of Ebola in the western areas of the capital Freetown, which will aim to scare people into changing their behaviour.

The Guardian

The aim of the negotiations is to reconfigure the Iranian nuclear programme so that the international community can be confident it will not be used to build a warhead in secret, or so quickly that Iran becomes a nuclear-armed state before the rest of the world has time to react.

The Guardian

It's their business whether they aim for the stars or the gutter.

The Guardian - Sport

Alliance holds the balance of power on Belfast city council and has been arguing that the policy is in direct contradiction of the power sharing executive at Stormont and its aim for a shared future in Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

When you talk about rape, I said, you get to decide where you aim: are you making fun of rapists?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary; while "aim" is versatile, consider synonyms like "objective", "goal", or "purpose" to add nuance to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using incorrect prepositions with "aim". For instance, saying "aim for doing" is incorrect; instead, use "aim to do" or "aim at achieving" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The word "aim" functions primarily as a noun denoting a purpose or goal, and as a verb indicating the act of directing effort or intention towards a specific objective. This is supported by Ludwig, which provides numerous examples of both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aim" is a versatile term functioning both as a noun and a verb, denoting purpose and intention respectively. Its grammatical correctness is supported by Ludwig, which highlights its prevalent usage across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. To enhance clarity, be mindful of preposition choices (i.e., "aim at" vs. "aim to") and consider synonyms like "goal" or "objective" for added nuance. As demonstrated in Ludwig examples, mastering "aim" contributes to effective communication by precisely conveying objectives and aspirations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

goal

Focuses on the desired outcome or achievement.

objective

Emphasizes a specific, measurable target to be achieved.

purpose

Highlights the reason or intention behind an action or plan.

intention

Stresses the mental resolve or determination to do something.

target

Implies a specific point or object to be aimed at or achieved.

design

Refers to the overall plan or strategy to achieve a specific outcome.

aspiration

Conveys a strong desire or ambition to achieve something significant.

end

Highlights the final result or outcome that is desired.

plan

Refers to a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something.

ambition

Expresses a strong desire and determination to achieve success.

FAQs

How can I use "aim" in a sentence?

"Aim" can be used as a noun to describe a goal (e.g., "My "aim" is to improve my writing skills") or as a verb to indicate intention (e.g., "We "aim" to provide the best possible service").

What are some synonyms for "aim"?

Synonyms for "aim" include "goal", "objective", "purpose", "intention", and "target". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "aim at" or "aim for"?

Both "aim at" and "aim for" are acceptable, but they have slightly different connotations. "Aim at" is generally used for a specific target (e.g., "aim at the bullseye"), while "aim for" can be used more broadly for goals or aspirations (e.g., "aim for success").

What's the difference between "aim" and "objective"?

"Aim" is a general term for a goal or intention, while "objective" typically refers to a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) target. An "aim" can be broad, while an "objective" is more focused.