aiming to impress

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aiming to impress" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing someone's intention to create a positive impact or make a strong impression on others. Example: "She was aiming to impress her colleagues with her innovative presentation during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

High rollers aiming to impress friends or clients might find the Palm Court just the ticket.

The New York Times

That is true, but it is fair to note that this was still German team consisting of top European players aiming to impress Coach Joachim Löw and improve their status within the team as it prepares for next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

The New York Times - Sports

BMW's M6 Gran Coupe also contends, aiming to impress as much with brains as brawn.

BBC

Brighton & Hove Albion loan signing Joe Mattock is aiming to impress during his time at the club.

BBC

Turner, who will be aiming to impress at the World Championships in August this year, added: "I am looking forward to good things in 2011.

BBC

Madigan added that the Ireland players are having to deal with the pressure of the battle for World Cup places "every day" in training as well aiming to impress in the four warm-up watches.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

I constantly aim to impress.

The Guardian

But you should of course aim to impress.

Yale University

Most of all, Microsoft aims to impress Stuart Walker, Southridge's technology consultant and troubleshooter.

The New York Times

These individuals tend to strive for the next promotion, look for more training, and generally aim to impress.

Columbia University

In his testimony to Congress, Cohen said these statements included Trump's self-appraisals of his buildings' value — which aimed to impress, instead of aiming for reality.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aiming to impress", ensure that the context clearly indicates who the subject is trying to impress and what their specific goal is. Clarity enhances the impact of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "aiming to impress" in situations where a simple, genuine effort is more appropriate. Overusing it can make the subject appear pretentious or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aiming to impress" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase. It often acts as an adjectival modifier, describing the intent or purpose behind an action. Ludwig provides examples where it modifies nouns such as "team", "player", or "design".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aiming to impress" is a versatile and grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the intention of making a positive impact. According to Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and general contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about the target audience and specific goals. While appropriate for various situations, overusing it can make the subject appear insincere. The phrase offers several alternatives, such as "seeking to impress" or "intending to dazzle", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeking to impress

Replaces "aiming" with "seeking", which has a similar connotation of actively trying to achieve something.

out to make an impression

Rephrases the intention as a direct effort to "make an impression."

endeavoring to impress

Replaces "aiming" with "endeavoring", increasing the formality of the phrase.

trying to awe

Substitutes "impress" with "awe", suggesting an attempt to inspire a sense of wonder or deep respect.

intending to dazzle

Replaces "impress" with "dazzle", suggesting an attempt to overwhelm with brilliance or skill.

striving for admiration

Changes the focus from a general impression to specifically seeking admiration.

looking to captivate

Shifts the focus to capturing attention and interest.

hoping to wow

Uses the more informal term "wow" instead of "impress", indicating a desire to create a strong, immediate positive reaction.

setting out to charm

Emphasizes the use of charm as a means of impressing.

working to floor

Uses the informal term "floor" to mean impress greatly.

FAQs

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

You can use "aiming to impress" to describe someone's intention to create a positive impact, such as, "The athlete was "aiming to impress" the scouts with their performance."

What are some alternatives to "aiming to impress"?

Some alternatives include "seeking to impress", "trying to awe", or "intending to dazzle", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "aiming to impress" formal or informal?

"Aiming to impress" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, be mindful of the specific audience and situation.

What's the difference between "aiming to impress" and "trying to impress"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "aiming to impress" suggests a more deliberate and strategic effort, whereas "trying to impress" might imply a more general or less focused attempt.