aim to overtake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to overtake" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a goal or intention to surpass someone or something in a competitive context. Example: "Our company aims to overtake our competitors in market share by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Of course, if Apple was to launch its own social network, it would likely use its substantial clout to push it to users and aim to overtake both Facebook and Twitter.

The Guardian

Though the Spurs will aim to overtake the Thunder as the top seed in the West, Green says he and his team cannot sleep on other teams below them that are poised for a stronger second half.

The New York Times

Aim to overtake the person in front as a target.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Fast Retailing, the company behind Uniqlo, aims to overtake Zara, H&M and Gap by 2020 to become the most profitable clothes retailer on the planet.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

According to Jean-Louis Gergorin, in charge of strategy, EADS aims to overtake Lockheed Martin to be second to Boeing in the world league of aerospace and defence companies.In some ways, EADS is well-positioned.

The Economist

That will be a blow to the company, which aims to overtake Sweden's Ericsson to be the world's biggest supplier of telecoms infrastructure such as fibre-optic connections and routers.

The Guardian - Business

They are aiming to overtake Arsenal and Tottenham to the third and automatic Champions League spot.

BBC

As well as aiming to overtake local bus company booking platforms with its global focus (hence the Kayak comparison).

TechCrunch

With clients Hewlett-Packard and Acer, Compal President Ray Chen aims to overtake Quanta as the world's top contract manufacturer of notebook computers.

Forbes

"We honestly don't intend to, and we're not aiming to overtake GM," Cho told an industry conference in Tokyo.

Forbes

While Apple and Samsung struggle to retain their market share, China's Huawei, now the world's third-largest phone-maker, is reporting huge growth and aiming to overtake its main competitors.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aim to overtake" when you want to clearly state an ambition to surpass a competitor or achieve a higher level of success. Ensure that the context supports the competitive or aspirational tone of the phrase.

Common error

Avoid using "aim to overtake" in situations where surpassing or exceeding is not relevant. The phrase implies a competitive or hierarchical relationship, so it may be inappropriate for describing collaborative or non-competitive goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to overtake" functions as a purpose connector, indicating the intention or goal behind an action. It expresses a desire to surpass or exceed a competitor or a current state, aligning with Ludwig's confirmation of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aim to overtake" is a grammatically sound and useful expression for indicating an intention to surpass or exceed something or someone. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in various contexts, although it's most commonly found in news and media, wiki, and science-related sources. When writing, remember that "aim to overtake" implies a competitive situation, and consider alternatives like "strive to surpass" or "seek to exceed" to nuance your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strive to surpass

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved in exceeding a goal or competitor; more formal.

seek to exceed

Highlights the intention and active pursuit of going beyond a certain limit or achievement.

aspire to outdo

Focuses on surpassing someone or something, often in a competitive setting; slightly more literary.

endeavor to best

Stresses the effort made to achieve superiority over others.

work towards eclipsing

Suggests a gradual process of overshadowing or surpassing something else.

target outperforming

Highlights a specified goal of superior results.

set sights on surpassing

Indicates a clear goal of exceeding expectations or previous achievements.

have ambitions to exceed

Emphasizes the intent to surpass something else; less formal.

intend to outstrip

Focuses on exceeding in speed or progress.

plan to overcome

Focuses on the intention to surpass or defeat something.

FAQs

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

You can use "aim to overtake" to describe a goal of surpassing someone or something in a competitive context. For example: "Our company "aims to overtake" its competitors in market share."

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

You can use alternatives like "strive to surpass", "seek to exceed", or "aspire to outdo" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "aim at overtaking" instead of "aim to overtake"?

While "aim at overtaking" is grammatically correct, "aim to overtake" is more commonly used and generally preferred when expressing a direct intention or goal.

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

"Aim to overtake" suggests a strategic objective and a defined goal, whereas "try to overtake" indicates an attempt or effort without necessarily implying a firm objective. The first represents a goal, the latter indicates action.