aim to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'aim to be' is an acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
It is used to express a goal or objective that is expected to be achieved in the future. For example, "I am working hard in school to aim to be a doctor when I grow up."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Others aim to be.

The Economist

The initiatives aim to be founder-friendly.

The New York Times

I'll aim to be sweeter all round".

The Guardian

I aim to be a cancer survivor".

The Guardian

I aim to be a country lawyer.

The New York Times

Van Sant doesn't aim to be on trend.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Is it a long‑term aim to be in Government?

The Guardian - Sport

"I don't aim to be a personality," he says.

The Guardian - Music

does aim to be more than a romp.

The New York Times - Books

Aim to be like a pair of brogues.

The Guardian

The new projects aim to be more than mere gimmicks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aim to be" to clearly articulate a specific goal or intention. It works well when outlining objectives, whether personal or professional.

Common error

Avoid using "aim to be" in overly passive constructions. Instead of "It is aimed to be completed by Friday", use "We aim to complete it by Friday" for a more direct and active voice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to be" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used to express a purpose or intention. It connects a subject with a desired future state. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is acceptable in written English and is employed to articulate objectives.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim to be" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to express a goal or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its versatility across diverse contexts, particularly in news, business, and general informative content. To enhance clarity and impact, avoid passive voice constructions and consider semantically similar alternatives like "intend to be", "aspire to be", or "strive to be" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to be

Replaces "aim" with "intend", focusing on purposefulness.

aspire to be

Highlights a strong desire or ambition.

strive to be

Emphasizes effort and determination towards a goal.

seek to be

Suggests a deliberate attempt or effort.

plan to be

Focuses on a future arrangement or intention.

hope to be

Indicates a desire with an element of uncertainty.

desire to be

Highlights a wish or longing.

endeavor to be

Implies a serious or determined effort.

try to be

Suggests an attempt, often implying potential difficulty.

have the goal to be

Explicitly states the presence of a specific objective.

FAQs

How to use "aim to be" in a sentence?

"Aim to be" is used to express a goal or intention. For example, "I aim to be a successful writer" expresses the desire to become a successful writer.

What can I say instead of "aim to be"?

You can use alternatives like "intend to be", "aspire to be", or "strive to be" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aim to be" or "aim at being"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "aim to be" is generally used when referring to a future state or condition, while "aim at being" emphasizes the process of achieving something. For instance: I "aim to be" a doctor vs. I "aim at being" more helpful.

What's the difference between "aim to be" and "try to be"?

"Aim to be" suggests a specific goal or objective, while "try to be" implies an attempt or effort without necessarily having a clear target. "Aim to be" is more directed and intentional.