central aim

USAGE SUMMARY

"central aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in formal or academic writing to refer to the main or primary goal or objective of something. Example: The central aim of this research project is to investigate the effects of climate change on local wildlife populations.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Getting stuff right is normally regarded as science's central aim.

The Guardian

Providing universal secondary education is another central aim.

The Guardian

Supporting research is a central aim of the Institute's mission.

University of California, Berkeley

With this in mind, our central aim involved, above all else, never pandering.

The New York Times

I was unequivocal about my central aim and allegiance: the most popular kids of all.

The Guardian - Opinion

Its central aim is to go for the gut and stop people thinking.

The Guardian

"Promotion of transparency is a central aim of the public sector equality duty requirements.

The Guardian

If Russia's central aim is security rather than expansion, however, then two things follow.

The Guardian - Opinion

But its central aim remains what it was at the beginning: to present new music.

The New York Times - Arts

After all, the maximisation of pleasure was the central aim of utilitarian ethics.

The Guardian - Books

"Our central aim must be to integrate four million unemployed into the labor market," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "central aim", ensure it clearly reflects the most important objective; other aims should be secondary and support the central one.

Common error

Avoid presenting multiple "central aims"; this weakens the focus. Clarify which objective is primary and which are supporting goals.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central aim" functions as a noun phrase that typically serves as a subject complement or object in a sentence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to identify the primary goal or objective. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its use in describing aims of policies, research, and organizations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Academia

22%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "central aim" is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves as a noun phrase to denote the primary goal or objective, often in formal contexts such as academic research, news reporting, and scientific studies. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals its frequent usage in "News & Media", "Science", and "Academia", highlighting its versatility. When employing the phrase, ensure it represents the most critical objective; otherwise, consider synonyms like "primary objective" or "main goal" to maintain clarity and focus. Avoid the common error of listing multiple "central aims", which dilutes the intended emphasis on the single most important objective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary objective

Replaces "aim" with a more formal synonym, "objective", implying a specific goal.

main goal

Substitutes "aim" with "goal", creating a slightly more informal tone.

principal purpose

Uses "purpose" to replace "aim", conveying a sense of intent or reason behind an action.

core objective

Emphasizes that the objective is fundamental and essential.

key objective

Highlights the importance of the objective.

chief aim

Replaces "central" with "chief", stressing the hierarchical importance of the aim.

overriding goal

Implies that the goal takes precedence over other considerations.

ultimate goal

Suggests the goal is the final or eventual outcome being sought.

fundamental purpose

Highlights that the purpose is basic and essential.

primary focus

Shifts the emphasis from "aim" to the area of greatest attention or effort.

FAQs

How can I use "central aim" in a sentence?

You can use "central aim" to describe the primary goal of a project, strategy, or initiative. For example, "The "central aim" of the new policy is to reduce carbon emissions."

What phrases can I use instead of "central aim"?

Alternatives to "central aim" include "primary objective", "main goal", or "principal purpose". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a central aim" or should I use "the central aim"?

Both "a central aim" and "the central aim" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "The central aim" refers to a specific, already defined aim, while "a central aim" implies one of several possible central aims.

What's the difference between "central aim" and "secondary aim"?

"Central aim" refers to the main, most important objective, while "secondary aim" refers to a supporting or less important objective. Secondary aims often contribute to achieving the "central aim".