aims at

USAGE SUMMARY

"aims at" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that someone or something is attempting to achieve a certain goal. For example, "The new sports program aims at increasing physical fitness levels among students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Aileron's lead research aims at cancer.

The New York Times

The paper aims at:.

Journal of Systems and Software

Its drug, Alzhemed, aims at the plaque.

The New York Times

A new campaign aims at intellectuals.

The Washington Post

— Mulvaney aims at student protection unit.

The Washington Post

Synthetic biology aims at reconstructing life.

Current Opinion in Biotechnology

Physical therapy aims at reestablishing facial movements.

Brazilian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology

This paper aims at bridging this gap.

Journal of Systems and Software

This study aims at exploring this hypothesis.

Travel Behaviour and Society

What aims at reality is better than what aims at appearance.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The drug coating aims at keeping vessels from reclogging.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "aims at", ensure the subject is capable of intending or directing effort towards the stated goal.

Common error

Avoid using "aims at" with inanimate subjects that cannot have intentions. For example, instead of "This design aims at reducing costs", consider "This design is intended to reduce costs" or "The goal of this design is to reduce costs".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aims at" functions as a verb phrase that introduces the intended goal or objective of a subject. It connects the subject performing an action with the specific outcome they are trying to achieve, as seen in examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "aims at" is a grammatically sound and versatile verb phrase used to express intent or purpose. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Analysis of its usage patterns reveals prevalence across news media, scientific publications, and academic writing. While alternatives like "intends to" or "seeks to" exist, "aims at" offers a direct and clear way to communicate objectives. Remember to use it with subjects capable of having intentions to maintain accuracy. With a source quality score of 85 and expert rating of 4.5, "aims at" is a reliable choice for effectively conveying goals and objectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

intends to

Suggests a plan or purpose, sometimes more deliberate than "aims at".

is designed to

Focuses on the intended function or purpose of something.

seeks to

Indicates an attempt to achieve something, often something ambitious or difficult.

attempts to

Highlights the effort made to achieve a goal, which may or may not be successful.

strives for

Implies continuous effort and dedication towards a particular goal.

endeavors to

Suggests a serious and determined attempt, often in a formal context.

is geared towards

Indicates that something is specifically designed or organized to achieve a particular purpose.

is directed at

Implies a specific target or audience for an action or message.

pursues

Suggests actively working towards a goal over a period of time.

has the goal of

States the objective or desired outcome directly.

FAQs

How can I use "aims at" in a sentence?

Use "aims at" to express the purpose or objective of an action or plan. For instance, "The company "aims at" increasing its market share."

What are some alternatives to "aims at"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "intends to", "seeks to", or "is designed to" to express a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "aims to" instead of "aims at"?

While "aims to" is grammatically correct and frequently used, "aims at" emphasizes the target or objective more directly. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "aims at" and "targets"?

"Targets" usually implies a specific, defined goal or demographic, whereas ""aims at"" can refer to a broader intention or direction. For example, a marketing campaign "targets" a specific audience, while a research project ""aims at"" a general understanding.