aimed to

USAGE SUMMARY

"aimed to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to something that someone is trying to do or achieve. For example, "She aimed to finish the project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He aimed to do it.

The Economist

Haney-Jardine aimed to capture that.

The New York Times - Sports

He aimed to begin human understanding anew.

The New York Times

He aimed to please.

The New York Times - Arts

It aimed to kill.

The Guardian

Project M aimed to answer just such questions.

The New York Times - Magazine

They aimed to find out.

The New York Times

It never aimed to fascinate, exhilarate.

The New York Times

She aimed to cut public expenditure.

The Guardian

McMaster aimed to revert to tradition.

The New Yorker

He has aimed to cut public expenditure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aimed to" when you want to clearly state the intended purpose or goal of an action or study. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was aimed to" as it creates a passive voice. Instead, rewrite the sentence to clearly state who or what was doing the aiming. For example, instead of "The study was aimed to investigate..." use "The study aimed to investigate..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aimed to" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intention or goal behind an action. Ludwig shows many examples where it introduces a clause explaining why something was done. It directly modifies a verb, clarifying the reason for the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aimed to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express intention or purpose. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. Its frequency of use is very common, particularly in scientific, news and media, and formal business settings. While generally neutral in tone, it leans slightly towards formality. When writing, ensure you use the active voice and avoid constructions like "was aimed to". Consider using alternatives such as "intended to" or "sought to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intended to

Indicates a pre-planned objective or goal, similar to "aimed to" but emphasizes the initial intention.

sought to

Implies a more deliberate and persistent effort to achieve something, adding a layer of determination to the meaning of "aimed to".

strived to

Emphasizes the effort and dedication put into achieving a goal, highlighting the struggle involved.

aspired to

Suggests a strong desire or ambition to achieve something, often a higher or more noble goal.

endeavored to

Implies a serious and determined attempt to accomplish something, often used in formal contexts.

tried to

A more general term indicating an attempt to do something, without necessarily implying a specific aim or purpose.

attempted to

Similar to "tried to", but can suggest a more formal or deliberate effort.

meant to

Indicates an original intention or plan, which may or may not have been successfully executed.

purposed to

Highlights the deliberate and intentional nature of the action, suggesting a strong sense of resolve.

set out to

Emphasizes the starting point of an action with a specific goal in mind, focusing on the initial commitment.

FAQs

How can I use "aimed to" in a sentence?

"Aimed to" is used to express the purpose or intention behind an action. For example, "The project "aimed to improve" efficiency" indicates the project's goal was to enhance efficiency.

What are some alternatives to "aimed to"?

Alternatives include "intended to", "sought to", or "strived to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "was aimed to"?

While understandable, "was aimed to" is generally considered less direct and stylistically weaker than the active voice "aimed to". It's better to use the active form for clarity and conciseness.

What is the difference between "aimed to" and "tried to"?

"Aimed to" indicates a specific goal or purpose, while "tried to" simply indicates an attempt to do something, without necessarily having a defined objective. "The campaign aimed to raise awareness" versus "The campaign tried to gain support".