aim to damage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to damage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an intention or goal to cause harm or destruction, whether physically, emotionally, or in a broader context. Example: "The hackers aimed to damage the company's reputation by leaking sensitive information."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Firstly, antiangiogenic strategies, which involve interrupting the actual process of angiogenesis, and secondly antivascular approaches, which aim to damage the existing vessels within tumours.

British Journal of Cancer

Inactivation of p53 is one of the most relevant events in human cancer, since it allows transformed cells to escape their own proliferation control and leave them irresponsive to drugs that aim to damage their DNA.

Bioscience Reports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not for the public good, the leak aimed to damage the man whose backing Gordon Brown had expected in the 1994 Labour leadership, but who was smart enough to realise it would have to be Tony the Winner, not the brooding Scot with those "psychological flaws" that Alastair Campbell (was it really him?) is said to have passed on.

The Guardian

Germany's minister for justice Katarina Barley called the breach a "serious attack," one that aimed to "damage confidence in our democracy and institutions," according to the BBC.

TechCrunch

Deripaska has denied any wrongdoing, saying that the "false allegations" are "the result of a planned campaign aimed to damage my reputation".

Vice

Deripaska has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, saying that the "false allegations" are "the result of a planned campaign aimed to damage my reputation".

Vice

Deripaska has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations "the result of a planned campaign aiming to damage my reputation," on his own Instagram.

Vice

The Western Allies also began a naval blockade of Germany, which aimed to damage the country's economy and war effort.

Wikipedia

"These allegations have nothing to do with reality, are the fruit of the imagination of a group of people and the result of a planned campaign aiming to damage my reputation".

Vice

He revealed the upcoming article in an Instagram post, calling it "a reckless disregard for the truth, making assumptions that are fictional and irresponsible," and suggesting it aimed to damage "Bohemian Rhapsody".

Huffington Post

In World War II a bombing decoy was constructed on top of Black Down at Beacon Batch in an attempt to confuse bombers aiming to damage the city of Bristol, and piles of stones (known as cairns) were created to prevent enemy aircraft using the hilltop as a landing site.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim to damage", ensure the context clearly indicates the target and nature of the intended harm. For instance, "The marketing campaign aimed to damage the competitor's reputation by highlighting their ethical violations."

Common error

Avoid using "aim to damage" without specifying what is being targeted. A vague statement like "Their actions aimed to damage" lacks clarity. Instead, be specific: "Their actions aimed to damage the negotiations."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to damage" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It connects an action with its intended negative consequence. As Ludwig AI suggests, it clearly describes an intention to cause harm or destruction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aim to damage" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose, specifically the intention to cause harm or destruction. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While relatively uncommon, it appears in diverse contexts, primarily within news media and scientific publications. It is crucial to use the phrase with clarity, specifying the target of the intended damage to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "intend to harm" or "seek to undermine" can offer nuanced variations depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to harm

Focuses on the intention behind the action, emphasizing the planned nature of the harm.

seek to undermine

Implies a gradual weakening or erosion of something, rather than direct damage.

attempt to sabotage

Highlights the act of deliberately disrupting or destroying something, often secretly.

try to impair

Suggests an effort to weaken or diminish something's functionality or quality.

set out to ruin

Emphasizes the determination and purposefulness in causing destruction or failure.

work to destroy

Focuses on the sustained effort involved in the process of destruction.

plan to devastate

Highlights the extensive and widespread nature of the intended damage.

aspire to wreck

Suggests a strong desire or ambition to cause significant damage or destruction.

have the goal to impair

Specifies the objective of reducing functionality or quality, using a more formal tone.

purpose to demolish

Emphasizes the resolute intention to completely destroy or dismantle something.

FAQs

How can I use "aim to damage" in a sentence?

You can use "aim to damage" to describe an intention to cause harm or destruction. For example, "The virus "aims to damage" the system's core files."

What are some alternatives to "aim to damage"?

Some alternatives include "intend to harm", "seek to undermine", or "attempt to sabotage", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "aim to damage" or "intend to damage"?

"Aim to damage" and "intend to damage" are both grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them depends on the context and your desired tone. "Intend to damage" might sound slightly more formal.

What is the difference between "aim to damage" and "try to damage"?

"Aim to damage" suggests a deliberate goal or strategy to cause harm, while "try to damage" implies an attempt that may or may not be successful. "Aim to damage" indicates a more focused and intentional effort.