aimed at him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aimed at him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is directed towards a specific person, often in the context of criticism, advice, or communication. Example: "The comments made during the meeting were clearly aimed at him, highlighting his recent performance issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

with a gun aimed at him.

The New Yorker

Only one pass was aimed at him.

The New York Times - Sports

I aimed at him and began shooting".

The Guardian

Barack Obama assumed the barb was aimed at him.

The Economist

Mr. Jacoby recalls thinking the shots were aimed at him.

The New York Times

Her parting comment at the presentation ceremony was aimed at him.

Independent

Mukwege fell to the ground narrowly missing the bullets aimed at him.

Independent

A few months later, his teenage sons died in a bombing aimed at him.

The Washington Post

When the two First Division clubs met last month, the abuse aimed at him got nasty.

The Times

At times, Holick appears surprised and wounded by the criticisms aimed at him.

The New Yorker

Somewhere beneath the surface, perhaps that becomes an implicit accusation aimed at him.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aimed at him", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being directed. Be specific whether it's criticism, a weapon, or attention.

Common error

Avoid using "aimed at him" when the intention is unclear. Ensure the reader understands what action or object is being directed towards the individual, to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aimed at him" functions as a prepositional phrase, typically modifying a verb or noun to indicate direction or target. As evidenced by Ludwig's examples, it clarifies towards whom or what something is directed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aimed at him" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, primarily found in News & Media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and indicates that it serves to specify the target of an action or intention. While "directed at him" offers a more formal alternative, "aimed at him" is versatile for describing actions directed towards an individual, whether they involve physical objects, criticism, or attention. Ensure clarity by explicitly stating what is being directed to avoid any ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

directed at him

Replaces "aimed" with "directed", offering a more formal tone.

targeted at him

Substitutes "aimed" with "targeted", emphasizing a specific intention.

intended for him

Replaces "aimed" with "intended", highlighting the purpose or destination.

meant for him

Similar to "intended for him", but with a slightly more casual tone.

addressed to him

Emphasizes the act of formally communicating or directing something.

leveled at him

Conveys a sense of criticism or accusation being directed.

focused on him

Highlights the concentration or attention directed towards the person.

geared towards him

Suggests that something is specifically designed or tailored for him.

with him as the target

Emphasizes that he is the specific recipient or focus of something.

bearing down on him

Implies a forceful or threatening approach directed toward him.

FAQs

How can I use "aimed at him" in a sentence?

You can use "aimed at him" to describe something directed towards a specific person. For example, "The criticism was clearly aimed at him." or "The gun was aimed at him".

What's the difference between "aimed at him" and "directed at him"?

While similar, "directed at him" is generally more formal, whereas "aimed at him" can imply a more intentional or focused action or target.

What can I say instead of "aimed at him"?

You can use alternatives like "targeted at him", "intended for him", or "meant for him" depending on the specific context.

Is "aimed for him" grammatically correct instead of "aimed at him"?

No, "aimed for him" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "aimed" in this context is "at". Therefore, "aimed at him" is the appropriate phrase.