an ultimate goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an ultimate goal" is correct and can be used in written English.
It refers to a final, desired outcome or achievement that a person or organization is striving towards. It can be used in a variety of contexts, such as personal goals, career goals, or a company's objectives. Example: The organization's ultimate goal is to become a leader in sustainable practices and reduce their carbon footprint.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So with the election looming, is there an ultimate goal?

The Guardian

Solid organs production is an ultimate goal of tissue engineering.

Journal of Surgical Research

Behind this far-fetched scheme was an ultimate goal, "to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons".

The New York Times - Books

He then began to advocate Canadian independence as an ultimate goal.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They claim that history manifests patterns, and moves towards an ultimate goal.

The Guardian - Books

Fabricating stable functional devices at the atomic scale is an ultimate goal of nanotechnology.

Harvard University

It's an ultimate goal that shapes your short-term choices and behavior.

University of California, Berkeley

For his part, Mr. Lighthizer spoke of an "ultimate goal," which would be a U.S.-E.U.

The Washington Post

Dr. Safyer said the Obama requirements were laudable as an ultimate goal, but untenable as a starting point.

The New York Times - Health

But if there is an ultimate goal, Mr. John said, it's more of a mission: to debunk myths and stereotypes.

The New York Times

However, while al-Qaida put global jihad first, seeing the caliphate as an ultimate goal, Isis has swapped priorities.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "an ultimate goal", ensure it is clearly defined and aligned with strategic objectives to provide a focused direction.

Common error

Avoid misinterpreting short-term achievements as the "ultimate goal". Ensure that daily or weekly objectives contribute to, but are distinct from, the overarching long-term vision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an ultimate goal" functions as a noun phrase that typically acts as a subject complement or direct object in a sentence. It identifies the final, most important objective that someone is trying to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, showing numerous examples across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an ultimate goal" is a commonly used and grammatically sound noun phrase that signifies a final, overarching objective. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase appears frequently in diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. It effectively conveys aspiration and intent, with a register ranging from neutral to formal. To use the phrase effectively, ensure the goal is well-defined and distinct from short-term objectives. Alternatives like "a final objective" or "a primary aim" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a final objective

Replaces "goal" with "objective", emphasizing the target to be achieved.

a primary aim

Substitutes "ultimate" with "primary" and "goal" with "aim", focusing on the main intention.

a central ambition

Replaces "goal" with "ambition", highlighting the aspirational nature of the target.

a key objective

Similar to "a final objective" but uses "key" to indicate importance.

the end target

Focuses on the terminal point of an effort.

the concluding purpose

Emphasizes the intention behind the final action.

the supreme aspiration

Highlights the high level of desire associated with the goal.

the grand design

Implies a comprehensive plan with a final objective.

a long-term ambition

Emphasizes the extended timeframe required to achieve the goal.

the culminating achievement

Focuses on the successful completion and attainment of the goal.

FAQs

How can I use "an ultimate goal" in a sentence?

You can use "an ultimate goal" to describe a long-term objective. For example, "The company's "an ultimate goal" is to expand its market share globally".

What are some alternatives to "an ultimate goal"?

You can use alternatives such as "a final objective", "a primary aim", or "a central ambition" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "ultimate goal" or "final goal"?

Both "ultimate goal" and "final goal" are acceptable, but "ultimate goal" often implies a higher level of aspiration or significance. "Final goal" may simply refer to the last goal in a sequence.

What is the difference between a goal and "an ultimate goal"?

A goal is a general objective, whereas "an ultimate goal" represents the most important and overarching objective that guides all other goals. It's the end point of a series of efforts.