aim to reduce

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to reduce" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a goal or intention to decrease something, such as costs, waste, or emissions. Example: "Our organization aims to reduce carbon emissions by 50% over the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

UCTs aim to reduce poverty now.

The Economist

"We aim to reduce this to zero," he said.

The New York Times

Its aim to reduce Australia's deficit was worthy enough.

The Economist

So should we still aim to reduce working hours?

The New York Times

McPhee said some shark programmes had proven effective in their aim to reduce shark attack incidents.

The Guardian

They aim to reduce anxiety, discussing how callers have coped with similar problems in the past.

The New Yorker

New technologies aim to reduce the risks and improve the accuracy of prenatal genetic tests.

MIT Technology Review

Both negotiations aim to reduce tariff and non-tariff barriers in goods, services, investment and procurement.

Harvard Business Review

Inhaled medications aim to reduce airway inflammation, improve airflow, and decrease or relieve shortness of breath.

Harvard University

The state government coordinates a vast network of programs that aim to reduce such contrasts.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The aim: to "reduce drug-related harm to the addict and the community".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aim to reduce", ensure clarity by specifying what is being reduced. For instance, "The company aims to reduce operational costs by 15%" is more effective than simply stating "The company aims to reduce".

Common error

Avoid using "aim to reduce" without specifying what you intend to decrease. This lack of specificity can weaken your statement and confuse your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to reduce" functions as an infinitive phrase expressing purpose. It indicates the intended outcome or goal of an action. The Ludwig AI confirms this by showcasing its usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim to reduce" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile phrase used to express the intention or goal of decreasing something. As highlighted by Ludwig, it appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While its register is generally neutral, its applicability spans from academic to general communication. When employing "aim to reduce", it is advisable to specify the object of reduction for clarity and impact. Alternatives like "intend to diminish", "seek to decrease", and "work to minimize" offer subtle variations in tone and emphasis. In essence, "aim to reduce" serves as a clear and effective way to articulate a purposeful effort towards diminution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seek to decrease

Substitutes "aim" with "seek" and "reduce" with "decrease", providing a more formal alternative.

plan to lower

Substitutes "aim" with "plan" and "reduce" with "lower", suggesting a concrete strategy for reduction.

intend to diminish

Replaces "aim" with "intend" and "reduce" with "diminish", altering the tone slightly but maintaining the core meaning.

be determined to diminish

Indicates a stronger resolve than "aim to reduce", highlighting the "determination" to lessen something.

strive to curtail

Replaces "aim" with "strive" and "reduce" with "curtail", suggesting a more forceful effort to lessen something.

work to minimize

Replaces "aim" with "work" and "reduce" with "minimize", focusing on reducing something to the smallest possible amount.

be focused on cutting

Replaces "aim to reduce" with a more direct and active phrase, emphasizing the act of "cutting" something down.

endeavor to lessen

Substitutes "aim" with "endeavor" and "reduce" with "lessen", offering a more polite and formal alternative.

target the reduction of

Restructures the phrase to emphasize the "reduction" as the target, rather than the act of reducing.

have the objective of decreasing

Provides a more formal and verbose alternative, emphasizing the "objective" of reducing something.

FAQs

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

Use "aim to reduce" when you want to express an intention or goal to decrease something. For example, "The new policy "aims to reduce" carbon emissions".

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

You can use alternatives like "seek to decrease", "strive to curtail", or "work to minimize" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "aim to reduce" or "aim at reducing"?

"Aim to reduce" is generally preferred because it is more concise and direct. "Aim at reducing" is grammatically correct but can sound slightly less natural. For example, "We "aim to reduce" waste" is better than "We aim at reducing waste".

What's the difference between "intend to diminish" and "aim to reduce"?

"Intend to diminish" and "aim to reduce" are similar, but "intend to diminish" might suggest a more gradual or less forceful effort than "aim to reduce". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.