aim to show

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim to show" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the intention or goal of demonstrating something in a particular context, such as in academic writing or presentations. Example: "This study aims to show the correlation between diet and mental health."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Compromise is his subject; his aim to show us ways to avoid it.

The Guardian

"That's what I aim to show the people at the higher levels.

The New York Times

I aim to show how creatures move and to express the visual delight they bring.

The Guardian - Arts

Its television advertisements aim to show how easy eggs are to prepare.

Independent

"Yesterday's bombings in Kabul and Khost didn't aim to show Taliban's strength — indeed, they served America.

The New York Times

aim to show that Mr. Merkin breached his fiduciary duty to investors by hiding the Madoff investment from them.

The New York Times

Conferences like Greenbuild, organized by the United States Green Building Council, aim to show builders how to market green homes.

The New York Times

Crucially, they aim to show, through their success, that it is possible to do positive work and still "live good" – have money to support yourself and your family.

The Guardian

Only the Ogden and the 13-year-old Morris Museum of Art in Augusta, Ga., however, aim to show the full range of Southern art and nothing else.

The New York Times - Arts

Their vintage brand of Sudanese pop, songs of longing and youth blending elements of folk music aim to show the world another side to Sudan.

The Guardian

A sit-com that, in many ways, fulfilled Cosby's original aim to show a mirror to the audience, warts and all.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aim to show" when you want to clearly state the purpose of your argument or demonstration. It's particularly effective in academic writing and formal presentations.

Common error

While correct, "aim to show" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "try to show" or "want to show" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim to show" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intent or goal behind an action or statement. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aim to show" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey the purpose or intention behind an action, argument, or piece of research. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and widely applicable, particularly in formal settings such as academic writing and news reporting. While suitable for professional communication, alternative phrasing might be more appropriate in casual conversation. Analysis reveals that "aim to show" is commonly found in Science and News & Media contexts. Remember, clarity and precision are key when using "aim to show" to effectively communicate your intended message. Alternative phrases include "intend to demonstrate", "seek to illustrate", and "strive to prove".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intend to demonstrate

Replaces "aim" with "intend" and "show" with "demonstrate", offering a slightly more formal tone.

seek to illustrate

Substitutes "aim" with "seek" and "show" with "illustrate", implying a more visual or descriptive presentation.

strive to prove

Replaces "aim" with "strive" and "show" with "prove", suggesting a more forceful effort to convince.

attempt to reveal

Substitutes "aim" with "attempt" and "show" with "reveal", indicating an effort to uncover something not readily apparent.

aspire to present

Replaces "aim" with "aspire" and "show" with "present", conveying a sense of ambition and a desire to display something.

hope to clarify

Substitutes "aim" with "hope" and "show" with "clarify", implying a desire to make something easier to understand.

plan to exhibit

Replaces "aim" with "plan" and "show" with "exhibit", suggesting a structured approach to display something publicly.

purpose to indicate

Replaces "aim" with "purpose" and "show" with "indicate", offering a more formal and direct statement of intent.

objective is to highlight

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the "objective" and replaces "show" with "highlight", focusing on drawing attention to specific aspects.

the intention is to unveil

Restructures the sentence to emphasize "intention" and substitutes "show" with "unveil", suggesting a dramatic or revelatory presentation.

FAQs

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

You can use "aim to show" to introduce the purpose of your argument or demonstration. For example: "This research aims to show the impact of climate change on biodiversity."

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

You can use alternatives like "intend to demonstrate", "seek to illustrate", or "strive to prove" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aim to show" or "aim at showing"?

"Aim to show" is generally preferred when expressing a purpose or intention. "Aim at showing" is grammatically correct but less common.

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

"Aim to show" implies a more formal and deliberate intention, while "try to show" suggests a less certain or more experimental effort. The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.