aiming to destroy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aiming to destroy" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing an intention or goal to cause destruction or harm to something. Example: "The villain in the story was aiming to destroy the hero's reputation with false accusations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

"They are aiming to destroy that system," Mr. Toshikawa said.

The New York Times

"Virginia Vermiculite is aiming to destroy the historic district," Mr. Taylor said.

The New York Times

Her declaration concluded: Both the Russian and Syrian people are peaceful and of good hearts, but the governments in both countries are aiming to destroy Syria.

The New York Times

A few months later, Qaddafi reaffirmed the hard line, declaring that the infections were caused by "an organization aiming to destroy Libya".

The New Yorker

To address these disadvantages, mild processing methods (i.e., processing technologies for food preservation that apply mild temperature; <40 °C) aiming to destroy microbial food contaminants have been developed.

Trends in Food Science & Technology

The hero pulls a Guy Fawkes type persona- wearing a Guy Fawkes mask, aiming to destroy parliament and having explosives as his eventual weapon of choice.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"We aim to destroy it.

The New York Times

Cubism aims to destroy by designed disorder.

The New Yorker

Futurism aims to destroy by the machine myth.... Dadaism aims to destroy by ridicule.

The New Yorker

Expressionism aims to destroy by aping the primitive and insane.... Abstractionism aims to destroy by the creation of brainstorms.

The New Yorker

Scott Walker, the Tea Party's state governor in Wisconsin, aims to destroy state workers' collective bargaining rights.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aiming to destroy", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being targeted and the intended outcome. Strong verbs often enhance the impact of this phrase.

Common error

Avoid pairing "aiming to destroy" with overly abstract nouns. Instead of saying "aiming to destroy progress", be more specific: "aiming to destroy the project's funding".

Linguistic Context

The primary function of the phrase "aiming to destroy" is to act as a verb phrase, specifically a present participle phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes an ongoing intention or purpose to cause destruction. This is validated by Ludwig, which confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "aiming to destroy" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an intention to cause harm or demolition. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. It functions as a verb phrase describing an ongoing purpose, with a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts, especially in news and media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key: specify the target and intended outcome to maximize its impact. Related phrases include "intending to demolish" or "seeking to obliterate", each with slightly different nuances. Although the phrase is correct, be careful not to use it with abstract nouns, preferring concrete wording to make the phrase impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to demolish

Replaces "aiming" with "intending" and "destroy" with "demolish", suggesting a deliberate plan to tear down.

seeking to obliterate

Substitutes "aiming" with "seeking" and "destroy" with "obliterate", emphasizing a desire for complete removal.

planning to eradicate

Replaces "aiming" with "planning" and "destroy" with "eradicate", implying a strategic approach to eliminate something completely.

attempting to dismantle

Uses "attempting" instead of "aiming" and "dismantle" in place of "destroy", focusing on the act of taking something apart.

endeavoring to ruin

Replaces "aiming" with "endeavoring" and "destroy" with "ruin", indicating an effort to cause damage or collapse.

with the goal of annihilating

Emphasizes the purpose by using "with the goal of" and replaces "destroy" with "annihilating", conveying total destruction.

determined to eliminate

Uses "determined" instead of "aiming" and "eliminate" in place of "destroy", highlighting a firm resolution to remove.

striving to crush

Replaces "aiming" with "striving" and "destroy" with "crush", suggesting a vigorous effort to suppress or defeat.

intending to subvert

Substitutes "destroy" with "subvert", focusing on undermining or destabilizing something.

working to undermine

Replaces "aiming" with "working" and "destroy" with "undermine", implying a gradual process of weakening.

FAQs

How can I use "aiming to destroy" in a sentence?

You can use "aiming to destroy" to describe an intentional act of causing harm or demolition, as in, "The invaders were "aiming to destroy" the city's infrastructure".

What are some alternatives to "aiming to destroy"?

Alternatives include "intending to demolish", "seeking to obliterate", or "planning to eradicate", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "aiming to destroy" formal or informal?

"Aiming to destroy" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal synonyms might be preferred in academic or professional settings.

What's the difference between "aiming to destroy" and "intending to damage"?

"Aiming to destroy" implies a greater degree of harm and finality than "intending to damage". Destruction suggests complete ruin, while damage implies impairment that may be repairable.