aiming to play

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aiming to play" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing an intention or goal related to participating in a game or performance. Example: "The team is aiming to play at their best during the championship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Film

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But we are aiming to play attacking rugby".

Independent

He is now aiming to play Friday in Memphis.

The New York Times - Sports

A homegrown NFL player, Nate Ebner, is also aiming to play in Rio in August.

The Guardian - Sport

According to the Chicago Tribune, Rose is aiming to play in the Bulls final two games of the regular season.

The New York Times

Aiming to play David to this Goliath is an ad hoc group called Santa Clara Plays Fair.

The New York Times

It's baffling even to consider that this was ever aiming to play it straight, such is its unintentional hilarity.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

United Breweries clearly aims to play both ends of desire.

The New York Times

Aim to play just behind the beat but not so much so that you are out of time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Armstrong said the campaign aimed to play on the "frustrations that users and IT teams face everyday".

The Guardian

He aimed to play down suggestions that fallout from the court case could force an early general election.

The Guardian

And in Iowa, campaign volunteers furiously dialed supporters, using a script that aimed to play down the controversy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aiming to play" when there is an active effort or intention involved, rather than simply a possibility.

Common error

Avoid using "aiming to play" in passive voice constructions. It's better to say "The team is aiming to play" instead of "Playing is being aimed for by the team".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aiming to play" functions as a gerund phrase that typically modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating an intention or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Film

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aiming to play" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to convey an intention or goal related to participation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it appears most frequently in news and media, and sports contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication scenarios. For alternatives, consider "intending to play" or "planning to play" to vary your phrasing, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intending to play

Focuses on the intention or plan to participate.

planning to play

Emphasizes the planned or scheduled nature of participation.

hoping to play

Expresses a desire or wish to participate, with a degree of uncertainty.

aspiring to play

Highlights the ambition or goal of participating.

seeking to play

Implies an active effort to gain the opportunity to participate.

looking to play

Suggests an expectation and eagerness to participate.

striving to play

Focuses on the effort and determination involved in participating.

endeavoring to play

Formal way of saying trying hard to participate

with the goal of playing

Directly states the objective of participating.

targeting to play

Identifies playing as a specific target or objective.

FAQs

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

You can use "aiming to play" to express an intention or goal, for example: "The athlete is "aiming to play" in the Olympics next year."

What are some alternatives to "aiming to play"?

Some alternatives include "intending to play", "planning to play", or "hoping to play", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "aiming to playing"?

No, the correct form is "aiming to play". The infinitive form of the verb (to + base form) should be used after "aiming to".

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

"Aiming to play" implies a more active and determined effort, while "hoping to play" suggests a wish or desire with less certainty.