an ambitious goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ambitious goal" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a target or objective that is challenging and requires significant effort to achieve. Example: "Setting an ambitious goal for the project will motivate the team to push their limits and strive for excellence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is an ambitious goal.

The Economist

Is such an ambitious goal possible?

The New York Times - Magazine

"Is it an ambitious goal?

The New York Times

It is an ambitious goal.

The Guardian

It was an ambitious goal.

The Washington Post

That's quite an ambitious goal.

The New York Times

"We've set an ambitious goal for visitors," she said.

The New Yorker

It's an ambitious goal: to change the status quo.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That's an ambitious goal, given the complexity of the process.

Harvard University

To put it mildly, that is an ambitious goal.

The New York Times

Yeah, it's an ambitious goal," Mr. Lieber said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting "an ambitious goal", ensure it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) to increase the likelihood of success.

Common error

Avoid setting "an ambitious goal" without realistically assessing available resources and potential constraints. Failure to do so can lead to frustration and project failure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ambitious goal" functions as a noun phrase, where "ambitious" modifies the noun "goal". It typically serves as the subject or object of a sentence, indicating a desired outcome that requires significant effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "an ambitious goal" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe objectives requiring significant effort and resources. As Ludwig AI states, it's suitable across various contexts, from academic and scientific to news and media. The phrase's neutral register and wide applicability make it a versatile choice for discussing challenging objectives. When using "an ambitious goal", it's crucial to ensure that the goal is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound to increase the likelihood of success. The frequency of "an ambitious goal" and authoritative sources confirm its prevalence in the English language. Alternatives such as "a challenging objective" or "a lofty aspiration" can be used to add nuance to the expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging objective

Focuses on the difficulty and demands of the objective.

a lofty aspiration

Highlights the high-minded and idealistic nature of the aim.

a stretch target

Emphasizes that the target requires significant effort to reach, pushing beyond normal capabilities.

a bold undertaking

Stresses the courage and daring involved in pursuing the goal.

a grand design

Implies a large-scale and comprehensive plan with significant objectives.

a far-reaching aim

Highlights the extensive impact and scope of the intended outcome.

a significant objective

Focuses on the importance and impact of the goal.

a transformative ambition

Emphasizes the potential for the goal to bring about fundamental change.

an audacious plan

Highlights the boldness and risk-taking involved in the plan.

a visionary target

Focuses on the forward-thinking and innovative nature of the target.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "an ambitious goal" in a sentence?

Use "an ambitious goal" to describe a target that requires significant effort and resources. For example, "The company set "an ambitious goal" to increase market share by 20% within the next year".

What are some alternatives to "an ambitious goal"?

You can use alternatives like "a challenging objective", "a lofty aspiration", or "a stretch target" depending on the context.

Is it better to set "an ambitious goal" or a realistic one?

The best approach depends on the situation. "An ambitious goal" can motivate significant progress but may be harder to achieve. A realistic goal is more attainable but may not drive as much innovation or growth.

What makes a goal "ambitious"?

A goal is "ambitious" if it requires significant effort, resources, and innovation to achieve, often pushing beyond current capabilities or industry standards.