aim to do

USAGE SUMMARY

"aim to do" is a correct and common phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to express a goal or intention. Example: "My aim is to finish writing my novel by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They aim to do this by January.

The New York Times

"We aim to do that here".

The Guardian

However, we should aim to do better.

The Guardian - Sport

What does the project aim to do?

The Guardian - Opinion

"That's what we have to aim to do.

The Guardian - Sport

Aim to do the entire drill two to four times.

The New York Times

I aim to do films I'd like to see.

The New York Times - Magazine

Other trials now underway aim to do just that.

Harvard University

Perhaps he did not aim to do so.

The New York Times

Three new picture books aim to do just that.

The New York Times - Books

"What you can't aim to do is pretend to be somebody who you're not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim to do", ensure the context clearly indicates the desired outcome or goal. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "aim to do" when the intended action is clearly impossible or highly improbable. This can create a sense of disconnect and undermine the credibility of the statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to do" functions as an intransitive verb phrase followed by an infinitive. Ludwig shows that it expresses the subject's intention or purpose to perform a particular action. As supported by Ludwig AI, this phrase is generally correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aim to do" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express intention, goals, or objectives. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammar rules and is widely accepted. With a neutral register and frequent occurrence in news, academic, and general contexts according to Ludwig's examples, it is suitable for various writing styles. To enhance clarity, ensure specificity in the context to avoid ambiguity. While it is a straightforward phrase, consider alternatives like "intend to do" or "plan to do" for subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to do

Replaces "aim" with "intend", suggesting a firm plan or purpose.

plan to do

Substitutes "aim" with "plan", emphasizing the preparation and arrangement aspect of the goal.

strive to do

Replaces "aim" with "strive", highlighting the effort and determination involved.

aspire to do

Uses "aspire" instead of "aim", suggesting a higher or more ambitious goal.

seek to do

Employs "seek" in place of "aim", indicating an attempt to achieve or obtain something.

endeavor to do

Replaces "aim" with "endeavor", conveying a more formal and earnest attempt.

have the intention of doing

Expresses the aim using a more verbose and formal structure.

have a goal to do

Substitutes "aim" with "goal", highlighting the objective to be achieved.

purpose to do

Clearly defines the reason of doing something

set out to do

Implies starting a specific task or activity with a clear intention

FAQs

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

You can use "aim to do" to express your intentions or goals. For instance, "We "aim to do" our best on this project" or "I "aim to do" more exercise this year".

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

You can use alternatives like "intend to do", "plan to do", or "strive to do" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "aim to do" or "aim at doing"?

"Aim to do" and "aim at doing" are both grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different meanings. "Aim to do" expresses a direct intention, while "aim at doing" suggests targeting a specific action or outcome.

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

"Aim to do" suggests a planned or intended action, whereas "try to do" implies an attempt with an uncertain outcome. For example, "I "aim to do" well on the exam" indicates a goal, while "I "try to do" well on the exam" suggests an effort but not necessarily a guaranteed result.