clearly defined objective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly defined objective" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing goals or aims that are specific and unambiguous. Example: "In order to achieve success in this project, we must establish a clearly defined objective that everyone can understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

A first title under Stuart Lancaster also remains a clearly defined objective.

The Guardian - Sport

Process mapping is a technique to create a clearly defined objective to meeting business results.

Wikipedia

The return on investment approach seeks to maximize the return (defined in units of a clearly defined objective) per unit investment (e.g., dollars, people, time) [19].

Plosone

The risk for such bias was minimized by using a clearly defined, objective outcome measure.

Critical Care

In addition, clearly defined objective criteria for exposure, outcome, and other study characteristics were specified a priori.

BMC Cancer

16 17 Key elements are a prior protocol, clearly defined objective outcomes, and transparent sequential reporting of cases, showing when changes in indication or technique are made.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Yet not all prizes have such clearly defined objectives.

The New York Times

Some have clearly defined objectives, such as training for a half-marathon in eight weeks.

The Guardian - Tech

Clearly defined objectives and measuring those criteria is usually standard practice.

The Guardian

And our academic and research institutions reward projects with clearly defined objectives that have a good chance of quickly leading to publications and tenure.

The New York Times

"The speaker made clear that before any action is taken there must be meaningful consultation with members of Congress, as well as clearly defined objectives and a broader strategy to achieve stability," said Brendan Buck, a spokesman for Mr. Boehner.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When setting project goals, ensure you have a "clearly defined objective" with measurable milestones to track progress effectively.

Common error

Avoid using broad, undefined terms when formulating objectives. A "clearly defined objective" requires specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) criteria.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly defined objective" functions as a noun phrase, where 'clearly defined' acts as a descriptive adjective modifying the noun 'objective'. It specifies the quality of the objective, emphasizing its clarity and precision, as shown in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

6%

Reference

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clearly defined objective" is a grammatically correct and useful expression denoting a specific and unambiguous goal. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its usage across various domains, including science, news, and business. While it is not as common as some simpler alternatives, like "well-defined goal", it provides a formal and precise tone suitable for professional settings. Ensuring objectives are truly 'clearly defined' by making them specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound is essential for successful project management and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-defined goal

Replaces "objective" with the more common synonym "goal".

clearly stated objective

Focuses on the explicit communication of the objective.

specific aim

Uses "aim" instead of "objective", implying a focused intention.

precise goal

Uses "precise" to emphasize the accuracy and clarity of the goal.

unambiguous target

Substitutes "objective" with "target", suggesting a specific point to reach, and "clearly defined" with "unambiguous".

well-articulated objective

Emphasizes the quality and clarity of the objective's formulation.

explicit purpose

Replaces "objective" with "purpose", highlighting the reason for action, and "clearly defined" with "explicit".

articulated objective

Highlights that the objective has been clearly communicated and expressed.

measurable objective

Emphasizes the ability to assess progress toward the objective.

defined outcome

Shifts focus to the result rather than the aim, using "outcome" instead of "objective".

FAQs

How can I ensure an objective is clearly defined?

Ensure your objective is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Use action verbs and quantify your desired outcome whenever possible. For instance, instead of saying 'Improve customer satisfaction', say 'Increase customer satisfaction scores by 15% within the next quarter'.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "clearly defined objective"?

You can use alternatives like "well-defined goal", "specific aim", or "explicit purpose" depending on the context.

Why is it important to have a clearly defined objective?

A "clearly defined objective" provides focus, direction, and a benchmark for success. It helps align efforts, measure progress, and make informed decisions. Without it, projects can become aimless and difficult to evaluate.

What's the difference between a "clearly defined objective" and a "vague objective"?

A "clearly defined objective" is specific, measurable, and leaves no room for ambiguity. A vague objective lacks these qualities, making it difficult to understand, achieve, or measure. For example, 'Increase sales' is vague, while 'Increase sales of product X by 10% in Q3' is a "clearly defined objective".