aspires to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aspires to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a desire or ambition to achieve something or reach a certain goal. Example: "She aspires to become a renowned author and share her stories with the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Ganso aspires to the latter.

The New York Times - Food

Who aspires to look like that?

The New York Times

Sports, though, aspires to be rigorously proceduralistic.

The New Yorker

Ms Kusama aspires to do the same.

The Economist

O'Keefe aspires to more than making movies.

The New York Times - Magazine

He now aspires to becoming a billionaire.

The New York Times - Arts

He aspires to far more than that.

The New York Times - Sports

China aspires to be a superpower.

The New York Times

Not everyone aspires to be in management.

The New York Times

In basketball, Harvard aspires to be Vanderbilt.

The New York Times - Sports

Everything aspires to the light.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aspires to" when you want to convey a sense of ambition and a strong desire to reach a significant goal. It suggests a forward-looking perspective and a commitment to achieving something noteworthy.

Common error

Avoid using "aspires to" for minor or easily achievable goals. The phrase carries a weight of ambition, and using it for trivial matters can sound exaggerated or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aspires to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a strong desire or ambition to achieve a particular goal or state. It expresses a forward-looking intention and is often used to describe individuals or organizations with high aspirations. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aspires to" is a commonly used and grammatically correct verb phrase that effectively conveys a strong desire or ambition to achieve a particular goal. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in science and formal business settings. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase's versatile usage and high frequency across authoritative sources affirm its significance in expressing forward-looking intentions. While alternatives like "aims to" and "strives to" exist, "aspires to" carries a distinct weight of ambition and commitment. When using this phrase, ensure that it aligns with a significant goal and avoid employing it for trivial matters to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aims to

Focuses on the intention or purpose behind the action.

strives to

Emphasizes the effort and determination involved.

endeavors to

Suggests a more formal and committed attempt.

seeks to

Highlights the act of searching or pursuing a goal.

hopes to

Implies a wish or expectation of achieving something.

wishes to

Expresses a desire, often in a more polite or formal manner.

intends to

Indicates a planned or purposed action.

desires to

Highlights the strong feeling of wanting something.

plans to

Focuses on the preparatory steps taken to achieve a goal.

yearns to

Expresses a deep longing or craving.

FAQs

How to use "aspires to" in a sentence?

Use "aspires to" when you want to describe someone's ambition or strong desire to achieve a particular goal. For example, "The company "aspires to" become a market leader".

What can I say instead of "aspires to"?

You can use alternatives like "aims to", "strives to", or "hopes to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "aspire for" instead of "aspires to"?

"Aspire to" is the correct and more commonly used construction. "Aspire for" is less frequent and can sound awkward to native English speakers. It's better to stick with ""aspires to"".

What's the difference between "aspires to" and "intends to"?

"Aspires to" implies a strong desire and ambition, often for a long-term goal. "Intends to" suggests a plan or purpose to do something, without necessarily implying the same level of ambition or long-term commitment.