aiming

USAGE SUMMARY

'aiming' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when discussing setting or achieving a goal. For example, “The marketing team is aiming to increase in-store sales by 10% this quarter.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In potentially the most significant announcement, Ed Davey, the energy secretary, said he expected to start talks next month with Tidal Lagoon Power, the company that is aiming to build the world's first tidal lagoon power plant in Swansea Bay, to see if the project is affordable and value for money for consumers.

The Guardian

Speedway met Hemingway in an event aiming to become America's latest extreme sports craze.

The Guardian - Sport

You should be aiming for a slab which is "six-fingers thick".

The Guardian

As the general election approaches, another bright young thing is aiming to make political waves in Wavertree, this time in the parliamentary constituency.

The Guardian

He was not flawless; but then he was not aiming for perfection.

The Guardian - Sport

If you are aiming to get coverage January 1, you should try to sign up today," said Julie Bataille, a spokeswoman for the federal agency overseeing the overhaul.

The Guardian

The project is aiming to create a Mario who "gets to know his own world" by becoming "aware of himself and his environment", enabling him to make his own decisions based on his curiosity, hunger, happiness and fear, as well as through voice commands delivered by a researcher.

The Guardian - Tech

Robinson and the machine he pilots – Top 1 Ack Attack – will also be in Utah in September, aiming to break the 400mph mark.

The Guardian - Tech

You don't talk about aiming for total recovery; instead, you say you're "fighting as much as possible".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Related: Projected SNP landslide could see it form part of next UK government Scotland in Union, which launches on Friday, is aiming to provide opinion polling and research to help people to vote tactically against the SNP in key constituencies.

The Guardian

José Riga's team were set to play two fixtures during the warm-weather camp, but the manager will now spend that time aiming to complete transfers.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aiming" to convey a sense of purpose and direction in your writing. It helps the reader understand the intended outcome or result.

Common error

Avoid using "aiming" without a clear objective. Ensure that the sentence explicitly states what is being targeted or intended. For example, instead of saying "They are aiming high", specify "They are aiming to increase sales by 20%".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "aiming" is as a present participle, often functioning as part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "is aiming") or as a gerund modifying a noun. Ludwig examples confirm this usage. It indicates an ongoing action directed towards a goal.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Tech

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Opinion

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aiming" functions as a present participle to convey intention and direction towards a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term sees widespread use in different writing styles, and it can be considered grammatically sound and widely acceptable. Predominantly found in News & Media, Sports, and Tech contexts, "aiming" is suitable for neutral registers. Alternatives like "intending", "striving", and "targeting" can add nuance, while it's crucial to prevent vagueness in objectives. With all this in mind, using "aiming" in writing will guarantee you a smooth and polished text.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

targeting

Focuses on the specific object or outcome that is being aimed for.

intending

Emphasizes the mental state of having a purpose or plan.

striving

Suggests a continuous effort and determination towards a goal.

pursuing

Conveys actively chasing or following a goal or objective.

endeavoring

Implies a more formal and conscientious attempt.

seeking

Indicates searching or looking for a desired outcome.

aspiring

Highlights ambition and a desire for something higher or greater.

planning

Focuses on a detailed method to achieve a goal.

anticipating

Suggests expecting and preparing for something in the future.

proposing

Implies presenting a plan or idea for consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "aiming" in a sentence?

You can use "aiming" to describe the action of directing effort towards a specific goal. For example, "The company is "aiming to expand" its market share".

What are some alternatives to the word "aiming"?

Some alternatives to "aiming" include "intending", "striving", "targeting", or "seeking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "aiming at" or "aiming to"?

Both "aiming at" and "aiming to" are correct, but they have slightly different usages. "Aiming at" is often used with nouns or gerunds, while "aiming to" is used with infinitives. For example, "aiming at success" versus "aiming to succeed".

What's the difference between "aiming" and "planning"?

"Aiming" implies directing effort toward a goal, while "planning" involves creating a detailed strategy to achieve that goal. You can be "aiming for" something without a concrete plan, but "planning something" usually involves a specific aim.