aim with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aim with" is not correct and cannot be used in written English.
You would need to restructure the phrase to make it correct. For example, you could say "aim for" or "aim at." For example: "She always aims for success in her studies."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She practices her aim with BB guns.

The New Yorker

Of course, my aim with rocks isn't much better than my aim with a rifle.

The New York Times - Style

But, perhaps, that's not the primary aim with 6x9.

The Guardian

Also, he had good aim with an onion.

The New Yorker

"Watch where you aim with that confetti cannon," she told one.

The New York Times

The Grand National is the main aim with him and everything is just slotting into place.

The Guardian - Sport

Global economic competitiveness is the aim, with innovation being seen as one of the drivers.

The Guardian

Her eyes as she took aim with them showed confident amusement.

The New Yorker

My aim with this new production, like Strindberg's, has been to put a dream on stage.

The Guardian

With a clear vantage on the truck, Basam took aim with a machine gun.

The New Yorker

Making is a step towards sharing that aim with the entire industry.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct preposition after "aim". "Aim at" and "aim for" are the standard and grammatically sound choices, depending on whether you're referring to a specific target or a general goal. For example, "Aim at the target" or "Aim for success".

Common error

Avoid using "aim with" as it's grammatically incorrect. This construction doesn't properly link the action of aiming to its target or purpose. Correct it to "aim at" or "aim for" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aim with" functions as a verb phrase attempting to describe the act of directing something, often a weapon or an effort, in conjunction with an implied instrument or method. However, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

21%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "aim with" appears frequently across diverse sources, including news outlets and wikis, it's essential to recognize its grammatical incorrectness. Ludwig AI flags this construction as grammatically unsound, suggesting that "aim at" or "aim for" are more appropriate alternatives. Despite its common usage, particularly in informal contexts, adopting grammatically accurate phrases ensures clarity and credibility in communication. When aiming for precision, especially in formal or professional settings, steer clear of "aim with" and opt for its grammatically correct counterparts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aim for

Replaces 'with' with 'for' to indicate targeting a goal.

aim at

Substitutes 'with' with 'at' to specify the target of the aiming action.

target with

Uses 'target' as the verb instead of 'aim'.

focus on

Shifts from physical aiming to concentrating efforts.

direct toward

Emphasizes the direction of effort or action.

strive for

Focuses on the effort to achieve a particular outcome.

gear toward

Suggests preparing or adjusting something to achieve a specific aim.

intend to

Highlights the intention behind an action.

aspire to

Emphasizes a long-term goal or ambition.

endeavor to

Indicates a serious attempt to achieve something.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "aim" with a preposition?

The correct prepositions to use with "aim" are "at" and "for". Use "aim at" to indicate a specific target (e.g., "Aim at the bullseye") and "aim for" to indicate a goal or objective (e.g., "Aim for success").

Why is "aim with" considered grammatically incorrect?

The phrase "aim with" doesn't provide a clear connection between the action of aiming and the intended target or goal. Grammatically, "aim" requires a preposition that specifies what is being aimed at or what one is aiming for.

Are there situations where "aim with" might be acceptable?

No, "aim with" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. While you might encounter it in some informal contexts, it's best to avoid it in formal writing and speech.

What can I say instead of "aim with"?

Use "aim at" when referring to a specific target or direction, and "aim for" when referring to a goal or desired outcome. For example, instead of "aim with accuracy", use "aim for accuracy".