aim to offend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to offend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing intentions behind actions or statements that may be provocative or hurtful. Example: "The comedian's jokes often aim to offend, pushing the boundaries of acceptable humor."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I don't aim to offend.

The Guardian

The SCV says that they want to honor Confederate war dead and don't aim to offend.

Huffington Post

If you aim to offend, however, the vast majority of curses target family members: 'figlio di puttana' (son of a bitch) or 'mortacci tua' (which curses the enemy's dead loved ones).

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Unhitched" expends a wrestler's energy aiming to offend and provoke, but no amount of outrageousness can mask its conformity.

The New York Times - Arts

Where that other comedy villain, Donald Trump, aims to offend and is loathe to apologise or admit to wrong-doing, Johnson happily says sorry when he has been caught out.

The Guardian

Hval's aim seems not to offend but to estrange, creating distance between herself and the listener; her narrators are unreliable but fascinating.

The New Yorker

Despite this, Anne Marie Waters, director of Sharia Watch, said "the aim is not to offend people", but added that people taking offence would not discourage them from holding the exhibition.

Independent

In this instance, I leapt to the stage, tried to thank conductor and players first and then acknowledge any applause still rippling around the concert hall, my main aim being not to offend anyone or leave anyone out.

The Guardian - Music

Broadly speaking, environmental criminology is characterized by the analysis of crime event patterns in space and time, with the key aim of understanding opportunities to offend and preventing crime events from occurring in the first place (Wortley and Mazerolle 2008).

Crime Science

Grass also takes aim at Germany's reluctance to offend Israel – reproaching himself for "my silence" on the subject, and acknowledging that he will inevitably face accusations of antisemitism.

The Guardian - Books

The US military is developing a 'big data' tool aimed at preventing military personnel from committing violent crimes by predicting which soldiers are most likely to offend.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim to offend", consider the context and audience. Ensure that the intention is clear and appropriate for the situation, as it can easily be misinterpreted.

Common error

Avoid using "aim to offend" in formal writing or professional communication, as it implies a deliberate intention to cause harm or upset, which is generally inappropriate. Opt for more neutral phrasing like "intended to challenge" or "sought to question" if you mean something less aggressive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to offend" functions as a purpose clause, indicating the intended outcome or goal of an action. It describes the reason why someone is doing something, specifically with the intention of causing offense. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim to offend" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe a deliberate intention to cause offense. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, often to objectively report on potentially controversial actions or statements. When writing, it's important to consider the context and audience, as using "aim to offend" can imply a level of intentionality that might not always be accurate or appropriate. Alternatives like "intend to provoke" or "seek to insult" may be more suitable depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to provoke

Focuses on the intent to elicit a reaction, not specifically offense.

seek to insult

Highlights the action of insulting as the primary goal.

set out to antagonize

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of causing antagonism.

try to displease

Focuses on causing displeasure, which is a milder form of offense.

purposefully be offensive

Highlights the deliberate intention to be offensive.

deliberately provoke

Emphasizes the intentional nature of provoking a response.

strive to irritate

Focuses on the effort to cause irritation or annoyance.

make an effort to be rude

Highlights the intention to be impolite.

endeavor to upset

Focuses on the attempt to cause emotional distress.

aspire to be obnoxious

Highlights the ambition to be unpleasant or annoying.

FAQs

What does "aim to offend" mean?

The phrase "aim to offend" means to have the intention or purpose of causing offense or upsetting someone. It suggests a deliberate effort to provoke or insult.

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

You can use "aim to offend" to describe someone's intentions. For example, "The comedian's jokes often "aim to offend", pushing the boundaries of acceptable humor."

What are some alternatives to "aim to offend"?

Some alternatives include "intend to provoke", "seek to insult", or "set out to antagonize", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always wrong to "aim to offend"?

Not necessarily. Sometimes, causing offense can be a deliberate tactic to challenge norms, spark debate, or highlight injustices. However, it is important to consider the potential consequences and whether the offense is justified by the intended outcome.