aiming to pay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aiming to pay" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an intention or goal related to making a payment or settling a financial obligation. Example: "We are aiming to pay off our debts by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Now they question every aspect of pay programs, rather than feeding the pay spiral by aiming to pay the C.E.O.

The New York Times

The company launched a venture capital trust investing in solar energy in August 2010 at 100p per share, aiming to pay 5p of dividends a year after two years.

The Guardian - Money

It'll take three months of your life, and then you'll always be able to earn money.' Afterwards, Dido worked as a waitress at night and temped during the day, aiming to pay her own way through university within a couple of years.

The Guardian

The other reason should be obvious, though it is often overlooked: Most of the people who serve on corporate boards are themselves top executives, and most companies set pay scales by researching the competition and then aiming to pay executives at the 50th or 75th percentile of what similar companies pay.

The New York Times

The IFS adds: "It looks as if the government is aiming to pay councils not only to design schemes that the government likes, but to design schemes that don't cut support as much as councils' funding is being cut, leaving them to make up the shortfall from elsewhere in their budgets".

The Guardian

"By way of examples, there is currently a bun fight between the senior bondholders and the holders of derivatives in Lehman's bankruptcy, with the restructuring firm Alvarez & Marsal plan aiming to pay out $60bn£36.7bnbn) against roughly $320bn in claims (remember with Lehman, unlike Enron, the accounting was a true and fair reflection of the business).

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Aim to pay off holiday debt in four to six months if possible.

The New York Times

The plans usually aim to pay off the individual's unsecured lending within five years.

Independent

Some funds have target dates when they will end, and others aim to pay indefinitely.

The New York Times

Unless you can find something in the sales, you should aim to pay a little more.

The Guardian - Tech

HOLLISTER: Harvard aims to pay out between 4 to 6percentt of the endowment annually, with a target of approximately 5percentt.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aiming to pay", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being paid for and the intended timeframe for payment. For example, "The company is aiming to pay its suppliers within 30 days."

Common error

Avoid using "aiming to be paid" when you mean someone is actively working to make a payment. "Aiming to pay" implies an active intention, while the passive construction shifts the focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aiming to pay" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a verbal, typically functioning as a noun. It indicates an ongoing effort or intention towards making a payment. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aiming to pay" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that signifies an intention or plan to make a payment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly understood and accepted in English writing. While not as prevalent as simpler alternatives, its use is frequent across news media and general online content. When you're writing about intentions concerning payments, using "aiming to pay" offers clarity. Remember to consider who is making the payment and what the payment covers to enhance clarity. If you want to make it more formal or add more nuance with alternatives such as "intending to pay" or "striving to pay".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to pay

Replaces "aiming" with "intending", which also conveys a planned action but might suggest a firmer resolve.

planning to pay

Substitutes "aiming" with "planning", indicating a deliberate arrangement for payment.

seeking to pay

Uses "seeking" instead of "aiming", implying an effort or attempt to make a payment.

endeavoring to pay

Replaces "aiming" with "endeavoring", suggesting a more determined or effortful attempt to pay.

working towards payment

Rephrases the expression to focus on the process of achieving payment, rather than a direct intention.

striving to pay

Emphasizes the effort and struggle involved in making a payment.

with the goal of paying

Expresses the intention as a specific goal, adding clarity to the purpose of the action.

having the objective of paying

Similar to "with the goal of paying", but uses "objective" to convey a planned outcome.

looking to pay

Employs a more casual tone, suggesting an inclination or desire to pay.

setting out to pay

Indicates the start of an action with the specific purpose of paying.

FAQs

What's a more formal alternative to "aiming to pay"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "intending to pay" or "planning to pay". These alternatives provide a similar meaning but with a slightly more professional feel.

How can I rephrase "aiming to pay" to emphasize effort?

If you want to highlight the effort involved, you could use phrases such as "striving to pay" or "endeavoring to pay". These options stress the dedication towards fulfilling the payment.

Is "aiming at paying" grammatically correct instead of "aiming to pay"?

While "aiming at" can be used, "aiming to pay" is generally preferred and more common when discussing intentions related to payments. "Aiming at paying" could be used, but the meaning shifts slightly to focusing on the act of paying itself, rather than the intention.

What's the difference between "aiming to pay" and "hoping to pay"?

"Aiming to pay" implies a plan and intention, whereas "hoping to pay" suggests a desire with less certainty. If you are "planning to pay", use "aiming"; if you simply wish to pay but have no concrete plan, use "hoping".