aim for happiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim for happiness" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing goals or aspirations related to achieving a state of happiness or contentment in life. Example: "In our pursuit of a fulfilling life, we should always aim for happiness, regardless of the challenges we face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We shouldn't aim for happiness.

Independent

A good CSR strategy should aim for happiness too.

Harvard Business Review

Schools should be permitted to aim for happiness as well as achievement.

The Guardian

This is reminiscent of the paradox of hedonism – the recognition that if we aim for happiness it will elude us.

The Guardian - Opinion

Do you just aim for happiness right now for that child?

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Aim for mild happiness as you work, not storms of passion.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Jeremy Bentham in 1798 claimed that every person was aiming for ultimate happiness by applying a "hedonic calculus" in life: "promoting whatever factors led to the increase of pleasure and suppressing those which produced pain".

BMC Health Services Research

This commitment should be no surprise to anyone who is familiar with the Coca-Cola brand; Coca-Cola has always aimed to stand for happiness, togetherness and sharing.

HuffPost

What Schacht and others seem to have in mind is something like John Stuart Mill's argument for utilitarianism, which proceeds from the premise that since happiness is the only thing people desire or aim for, it follows that happiness is the only thing that possesses intrinsic value.

SEP

The Positive Lexicography Project aims to catalogue foreign terms for happiness that have no direct English translation.

The New Yorker

Next January, meanwhile, the "Movement for Happiness", which aims to increase happiness and decrease misery, will be launched by no lesser mortals than Anthony Seldon, master of Wellington School, Lord Layard, dubbed the Government's "Happiness Tsar", and Geoff Mulgan, a former Downing Street policy head.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim for happiness", consider specifying what concrete actions or goals contribute to that happiness. This adds clarity and purpose to the pursuit.

Common error

Avoid using "aim for happiness" as a generic statement without defining personal or actionable steps. Generic statements can lack impact. Instead, connect it to specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim for happiness" functions as an intransitive verb phrase where "aim" is the verb and "for happiness" is a prepositional phrase acting as an adverbial, specifying the goal or direction of the action. The phrase indicates a deliberate intention or effort toward achieving a state of happiness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim for happiness" is a grammatically correct expression used to convey the intention or desire to achieve a state of well-being. While Ludwig AI identifies it as a correct phrase, its frequency is relatively rare. It is primarily found in News & Media, Science and Wiki. To make the phrase more impactful, consider specifying concrete actions or goals. Alternatives such as "strive for happiness" or "pursue happiness" can offer similar meanings with subtle differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive for happiness

Replaces "aim" with "strive", suggesting a more effortful and persistent pursuit of happiness.

pursue happiness

Uses "pursue" instead of "aim", implying a deliberate and active seeking of happiness.

seek happiness

Substitutes "aim" with "seek", indicating a quest or search for happiness.

aspire to happiness

Employs "aspire" to convey a higher level of ambition or desire for happiness.

desire happiness

Uses "desire" to simply express a wish or longing for happiness.

work towards happiness

Focuses on the effort and process involved in achieving happiness.

endeavor to find happiness

Uses "endeavor" to show the attempt of finding happiness.

make happiness a goal

Shifts the structure to emphasize setting happiness as a specific objective.

set your sights on happiness

Replaces "aim" with an idiom suggesting a clear and focused intention to achieve happiness.

have happiness as an objective

Phrases happiness as a defined target.

FAQs

What does it mean to "aim for happiness"?

To "aim for happiness" means to make choices and pursue goals that are likely to increase your overall sense of well-being and contentment in life. It involves actively working towards a state of joy and fulfillment.

Is "aim for happiness" the same as "pursue happiness"?

While similar, "aim for happiness" suggests directing your efforts towards happiness, while "pursue happiness" implies a more active seeking or chasing after it. Both emphasize making happiness a priority.

What are some alternatives to saying "aim for happiness"?

You can use alternatives like "strive for happiness", "seek happiness", or "aspire to happiness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I "aim for happiness" in my daily life?

You can "aim for happiness" by setting meaningful goals, practicing gratitude, nurturing relationships, engaging in activities you enjoy, and prioritizing self-care. It involves making conscious choices that promote well-being.