had been aiming for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had been aiming for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a goal or target that someone has been trying to achieve over a period of time. Example: "After years of hard work, she finally reached the success she had been aiming for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

Browse had been aiming for 12 million tons per year.

The New York Times

The City thought he had been aiming for 73p.

The Guardian - Business

Pechstein, 37, had been aiming for her sixth Winter Games as a speedskater.

The New York Times - Sports

He had been "aiming for more than individual resistance," as D'Emilio writes.

The New York Times - Books

What came next was the lecture she had been aiming for all along.

The New Yorker

United and its unions had been aiming for savings of $5.8 billion through 2008.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

But 39% of occupied Royal palaces were in worse condition than had been aimed for, the report said.

BBC

But he has been aiming for Sunday all week.

The New York Times - Sports

Wiggins would have been aiming for a third successive pursuit title in London.

The Guardian - Sport

Which is what I've been aiming for – and achieving – ever since.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"That's what I've been aiming for for a long time," said Ricketts.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had been aiming for" to describe a past intention or goal that was consistently pursued over a period of time. This emphasizes the duration and effort involved.

Common error

Avoid using "had been aiming for" when referring to a present or future goal. This phrase is specifically for past intentions. Instead, use "is aiming for" or "will be aiming for" for present and future goals, respectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had been aiming for" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically as part of the predicate. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes a past continuous action directed towards a specific goal. The examples show it used in diverse contexts, from sports to business.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had been aiming for" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe a past continuous action directed toward a specific goal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating intentions and efforts. While alternatives like "had been targeting" or "had been striving for" exist, the specific choice depends on the context and desired nuance. Remember to use this phrase for past intentions only, and avoid confusing it with present or future tenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had been targeting

Replaces "aiming" with "targeting", emphasizing a specific object or outcome as the goal.

had been striving for

Substitutes "aiming" with "striving", highlighting the effort and dedication involved in pursuing the goal.

had been working towards

Replaces "aiming" with "working towards", focusing on the process and steps taken to achieve the goal.

had been intending to achieve

Replaces "aiming for" with "intending to achieve", emphasizing the intention and planned outcome.

had set their sights on

Uses a more idiomatic expression, indicating a strong desire and focus on achieving something.

had been hoping to attain

Substitutes "aiming for" with "hoping to attain", conveying a sense of aspiration and expectation.

had been endeavoring to reach

Replaces "aiming for" with "endeavoring to reach", highlighting the effort and determination in trying to achieve something.

had been pursuing

Replaces "aiming for" with "pursuing", emphasizing the action of following or trying to obtain something.

had a goal of

A more direct way of stating the intended objective, replacing the more nuanced "had been aiming for".

had an objective of

Similar to "had a goal of", but uses "objective" which can imply a more formal or strategic aim.

FAQs

How to use "had been aiming for" in a sentence?

Use "had been aiming for" to describe a past intention or goal that someone consistently pursued over a period. For example, "The company had been aiming for a larger market share before the economic downturn".

What can I say instead of "had been aiming for"?

You can use alternatives like "had been targeting", "had been striving for", or "had been working towards" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "had been aiming for" or "was aiming for"?

"Had been aiming for" implies a longer duration or a continuous effort in the past, while "was aiming for" simply states the aim at a particular point in the past. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "had been aiming for" and "aimed for"?

"Had been aiming for" indicates a continuous or repeated action over a period, while "aimed for" suggests a single, completed action. For example, "She had been aiming for a promotion for years" versus "She aimed for a high score on the test".