aims for

USAGE SUMMARY

'aims for' is a correct English phrase, and it is commonly used in spoken and written English.
For example, you could say, "The company aims for continuous improvement and progress."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Pitino aims for 40).

The New York Times - Sports

Oscar aims for seduction.

The New York Times

Proteomics aims for completeness.

The New Yorker

He aims for ease.

The Washington Post

(She aims for fun, not for dinner).

The New York Times

Instead, Hooper aims for subtlety and understatement.

Independent

"The body aims for homeostasis," Braun says.

The New York Times - Magazine

The ZL1 aims for a predictive approach.

The New York Times

This time around Blake aims for candour.

The Guardian - Music

Aims for Rebirth, N.Y.

Columbia University

Mr. Gibney aims for outrage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aims for" when you want to describe the intended outcome or goal of an action or plan. It suggests a direction or purpose.

Common error

While "aims for" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "strives for", "targets", or "endeavors to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aims for" functions as a verb phrase indicating the purpose or objective of an action or entity. It reflects an intended outcome, as illustrated by Ludwig examples such as "The body aims for homeostasis" and "The Katine project aims for enduring effects".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aims for" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a goal or intended outcome. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and science. While highly versatile, remember to vary your language to avoid repetition by using alternatives like "strives for" or "targets". By understanding its function, purpose, and appropriate register, you can effectively use "aims for" in your writing to convey intent and aspiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strives for

Emphasizes sustained effort toward a goal.

targets

Focuses on a specific objective.

endeavors to

Implies a more formal and ambitious attempt.

seeks

Suggests a quest or search for something.

intends to achieve

Highlights the intention and the desired outcome.

is designed to

Focuses on the purpose or function of something.

is geared towards

Indicates a specific direction or focus.

aspires to

Conveys a sense of ambition and high goals.

works toward

Highlights the process of making progress toward a goal.

shoots for

A more informal way of saying aims for.

FAQs

How to use "aims for" in a sentence?

Use "aims for" to indicate a goal or objective. For example, "The company aims for sustainable growth" or "The project aims for improved efficiency".

What can I say instead of "aims for"?

You can use alternatives like "strives for", "targets", or "endeavors to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aims for" or "aims at"?

"Aims for" generally indicates a goal or desired outcome, while "aims at" typically refers to a specific target or direction. While both are correct, their meanings differ slightly. For example: "The company aims for higher profits" versus "The shooter aims at the target".

What's the difference between "aims for" and "intends to"?

"Aims for" suggests a general direction or goal, whereas "intends to" indicates a specific plan or purpose. The difference is subtle, but "aims for" may imply a less concrete plan than "intends to".