aspiring to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "aspiring to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a goal or ambition. For example, "I am aspiring to become a successful entrepreneur by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are blueprints aspiring to be buildings.

The New Yorker

"Most things were aspiring to be mediocre.

The New York Times - Arts

It felt like something worth aspiring to.

The Guardian - Books

Microsoft has been aspiring to transcendence.

The New York Times - Arts

"It's a newspaper aspiring to be a newspaper aspiring to world revolution," he writes.

The New York Times - Books

"You can even say I'm aspiring to bishop.

The New York Times

Our ethos is growing and learning together, aspiring to excellence.

Independent

A few philanthropists are launching new institutions aspiring to excellence.

The Economist

Aspiring to be another "Sweet Hereafter" it halfway succeeds.

The New York Times

It says marriage is worth aspiring to and fighting for.

The New York Times

Martinez has been aspiring to spydom apparently since birth.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "aspiring to" to describe ambitions or goals that require effort and dedication. For instance, "She is aspiring to become a doctor."

Common error

Avoid using "aspiring to" for easily achievable tasks. Instead, reserve it for significant, long-term ambitions that require considerable effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "aspiring to" functions as part of an infinitive phrase, often acting as an adjective modifying a noun or pronoun. It indicates a state of actively seeking or aiming towards a particular goal or condition, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis and numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "aspiring to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey ambition, intention, or a strong desire to achieve a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business settings. While versatile, it’s best reserved for significant, long-term goals and not trivial tasks. Alternatives like "aiming to" or "seeking to" can be used for subtle variations in meaning. Remember that "aspiring to" is about the journey and the effort towards a meaningful objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Aiming to

Focuses on the action of directing effort towards a goal, slightly more active than "aspiring to".

Seeking to

Emphasizes the act of searching or pursuing a particular outcome.

Intending to

Highlights the plan or purpose behind an action, less about the desire.

Striving to

Implies a considerable effort or struggle towards achieving something.

Endeavoring to

Similar to striving, but suggests a more formal and committed attempt.

Hoping to

Conveys a sense of wishfulness or desire for a particular outcome.

Wanting to

A more direct and simple expression of desire or intention.

Planning to

Focuses on the preparatory steps and arrangements for a future action.

Wishing to

Indicates a desire that may not necessarily be accompanied by concrete action.

Looking to

Implies an active search or consideration of options to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How to use "aspiring to" in a sentence?

Use "aspiring to" to indicate a desire to achieve a specific goal or status. For example, "He is "aspiring to become" a successful entrepreneur".

What can I say instead of "aspiring to"?

You can use alternatives like "aiming to", "seeking to", or "intending to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "aspiring to" or "aspiring for"?

"Aspiring to" is the correct form when expressing a desire or ambition to achieve something. "Aspiring for" is less common and may sound awkward.

What's the difference between "aspiring to" and "hoping to"?

"Aspiring to" implies a greater degree of effort and commitment towards achieving a goal, while "hoping to" suggests a wishful desire that may not involve as much active pursuit.