had aimed for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had aimed for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a goal or objective that someone intended to achieve in the past. Example: "Despite the challenges, she had aimed for a promotion by the end of the year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

The company had aimed for 75percentt participation on both offers.

The New York Times

It was something I had aimed for, so it was a very big goal met.

The Guardian

These increases came earlier than expected, as recent discussions between the parties had aimed for 2013.

The New York Times - Sports

Acasuso, knowing he had aimed for Roddick in the volley exchange, avoided his glare on the changeover.

The New York Times - Sports

The official Xinhua news agency says the historical extravaganza earned $46m during its first three weeks – not far from the record pace the authorities had aimed for.

The Guardian

Xiaomi had aimed for 100m in total, but slow first-half sales cut that to 70m for the year, of which 90% were sold in China.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

Now he has aimed for shallow waters.

The New Yorker

Smaller groups such as Buddhists have aimed for self-help.

The Guardian

Like Spira, Baldwin has aimed for a creative hybrid.

The Guardian

To build a brand, Target has aimed for consistency.

The Economist

"So that," he said, "is what I have aimed for".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had aimed for" when you want to emphasize a past intention that may or may not have been realized. It's particularly effective when contrasting the initial goal with the actual outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "had aimed for" when referring to a current or future goal. This phrase specifically indicates a past intention or objective. For current intentions, use "aims for" or "is aiming for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had aimed for" functions as a past perfect verb phrase, indicating an action (aiming) that was completed before another point in the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had aimed for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a past intention or goal. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Science contexts. While versatile, be mindful of using the correct tense and consider alternatives like "had intended for" or "had targeted for" to achieve specific nuances. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and common usage across reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had intended for

Focuses on the plan or design for a specific purpose.

had targeted for

Emphasizes the selection of a specific goal or objective.

had desired for

Highlights a strong feeling of wanting something.

had striven for

Implies a considerable effort or struggle towards achieving a goal.

had aspired for

Suggests a lofty or ambitious goal.

had attempted to achieve

Highlights the action of trying to accomplish something.

had planned to get

Focuses on the planning stage before taking action.

had worked towards obtaining

Emphasizes effort and eventual attainment.

had sought to obtain

Suggests a dedicated and purposeful search for a specific goal.

had set sights on

Implies a focused determination towards a specific target.

FAQs

How can I use "had aimed for" in a sentence?

Use "had aimed for" to describe a past goal or intention, often in contrast to the actual result. For example: "The company "had aimed for" 75% participation, but only achieved 50%."

What's a good alternative to "had aimed for"?

Consider alternatives like "had intended for", "had targeted", or "had striven for", depending on the nuance you want to convey. "Had intended" focuses on the plan, while "had striven" emphasizes effort.

Is it correct to say "has aimed for" instead of "had aimed for"?

The choice depends on the timeframe. "Has aimed for" refers to a goal set in the past and continuing to the present, while ""had aimed for"" refers to a goal set and potentially completed in the past. Choose the tense that accurately reflects the timeline of the intention.

What is the difference between "had aimed for" and "was aiming for"?

"Had aimed for" describes a completed action of setting a goal, while "was aiming for" describes an ongoing action in the past. For example, "They "had aimed for" a high score" suggests the goal is complete, while "They were aiming for a high score" suggests they were in the process of trying to achieve it.