aim to disable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to disable" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing intentions or goals related to deactivating or neutralizing something, such as a system, device, or threat. Example: "The security team aims to disable any unauthorized access to the network."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

We usually aim to disable people permanently.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Cortically-controlled prosthetic systems aim to help disabled patients by translating neural signals from the brain into control signals for guiding prosthetic devices.

Stanford University

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) aim to help disabled patients by translating neural signals from the brain into control signals for guiding prosthetic arms, computer cursors, and other assistive devices.

Stanford University

Aim to incapacitate.

WikiHow

GO FOR THE HOST Most antiviral drugs aim at the virus — trying, for instance, to disable an enzyme produced by the pathogen.

The New York Times

Agency officials said they would not discuss many details, citing a continuing investigation, but they said the officer had been trying to disable the truck by aiming for the tires.

The New York Times

To disable an object, select it and type Disable.

WikiHow

Did you try to disable the person [by aiming at the leg, for instance]," Mr Surju says.

BBC

Pick it up and aim it at him yet don't use it you want to disable him, not kill him if absolutely necessary.

WikiHow

There were a couple of drawbacks: the air-conditioner was aimed at the door instead of the room, and it was easier just to unplug a floor lamp than to disable its dim "nightlight" feature.

The New York Times - Travel

Give me an option to disable this.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim to disable", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being targeted and why. Specificity enhances clarity, such as "aim to disable the security system".

Common error

Avoid using "aim to disable" without specifying the target, which can lead to ambiguity. Instead of saying "they aim to disable", clarify with "they aim to disable the enemy's artillery" for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to disable" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. The verb "aim" indicates intention, while "to disable" specifies the intended action. Ludwig shows its use in contexts ranging from cyber warfare to physical altercations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Wiki

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim to disable" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase expressing the intention to make something inoperative or ineffective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, academic, and general writing. While "aim to disable" is not extremely frequent, it is a valid and understandable expression. When using this phrase, it is important to specify the target to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives include "intend to neutralize" and "seek to incapacitate", offering nuanced variations of the same underlying concept.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to neutralize

Replaces "aim" with "intend" and "disable" with "neutralize", focusing on rendering something ineffective.

seek to incapacitate

Substitutes "aim" with "seek" and "disable" with "incapacitate", emphasizing a goal of hindering function.

attempt to deactivate

Uses "attempt" instead of "aim" and "deactivate" in place of "disable", suggesting an effort to switch something off.

try to render inoperative

Replaces "aim" with "try" and uses a more formal "render inoperative" for "disable", indicating an effort to make something not work.

plan to neutralize

Employs "plan" instead of "aim", suggesting a pre-arranged intention to neutralize something.

aspire to neutralize

Uses "aspire" instead of "aim", indicating a goal-oriented approach to neutralize something.

have the objective of disabling

Expresses the aim as an objective, using a more verbose structure.

strive to disable

Replaces "aim" with "strive," emphasizing effort in disabling something.

endeavor to disable

Substitutes "aim" with "endeavor", conveying a serious attempt to disable.

work towards disabling

Uses "work towards" instead of "aim", indicating a progressive effort to disable.

FAQs

What does "aim to disable" mean?

The phrase "aim to disable" means to have the intention or goal of making something inoperative or ineffective. It suggests a planned effort to neutralize or deactivate a target.

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

You can use "aim to disable" in a sentence to describe a planned action, such as, "The cyberattack "aimed to disable" the company's network." Or, "The police officer "aimed to disable" the vehicle by shooting out its tires."

What are some alternatives to "aim to disable"?

Some alternatives to "aim to disable" include phrases like "intend to neutralize", "seek to incapacitate", or "attempt to deactivate", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "aim to disable"?

While generally correct, using "aim to disable" can be vague if the target is not clearly specified. Ensure the context provides sufficient information about what is being disabled to avoid ambiguity.