has targeted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has targeted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has aimed or focused on a specific person, group, or objective in the past and continues to have that focus. Example: "The organization has targeted young adults for its new marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sanchez has targeted Holmes 41 times.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, a prankster has targeted the team.

The New York Times - Arts

This time he has targeted seven societies.

The Guardian - Business

The military has targeted bakeries in many opposition-controlled areas.

The Guardian

But the industry has targeted the black community.

The Guardian

The Wii has targeted women with its Wii Fit games.

The Guardian - Opinion

Highfield has targeted growth in digital as a top priority.

The Guardian

Israel has said it has targeted sites linked to militants.

The Guardian

Trump has targeted other media companies, as well.

The Washington Post

Alt-right movie outrage has targeted several films now.

The Washington Post

The FBI also has targeted Anonymous and related hacker groups.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your language. While "has targeted" is acceptable, using alternatives like "has aimed at" or "has focused on" can add nuance and prevent repetition.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice with "has targeted". Phrases like "has been targeted" can weaken the sentence. Whenever possible, rephrase to use active voice for more direct and impactful writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has targeted" functions as a present perfect verb phrase. It indicates an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance or impact in the present. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "has targeted" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to indicate a past action with continuing relevance, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's versatile enough for various contexts, especially in news and media, science, and business writing. While generally neutral in register, writers should be mindful of choosing more formal alternatives in academic settings or avoiding passive voice constructions for impactful and clear communication. Remember to consider alternative wordings, such as "has aimed at" or "has focused on", to enhance clarity and style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has aimed at

Replaces "targeted" with "aimed at", focusing on the direction of an effort.

has focused on

Substitutes "targeted" with "focused on", emphasizing concentration and attention.

has directed toward

Replaces "targeted" with "directed toward", highlighting the act of guiding or channeling efforts.

has concentrated on

Similar to "focused on", it highlights a strong degree of attention and effort.

has set its sights on

Suggests ambition and a clear intention to achieve something.

has been directed at

Passive voice construction that shifts the focus to the recipient of the targeting.

has made a target of

Highlights the action of designating someone or something as a target.

has singled out

Implies a selection from a larger group, emphasizing individual targeting.

has prioritized

Indicates that something has been given higher importance or attention.

has pursued

Focuses on the active seeking or chasing of a goal.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "has targeted"?

You can use alternatives like "has aimed at", "has focused on", or "has directed toward" depending on the context.

How to use "has targeted" in a sentence?

"Has targeted" indicates a past action with continuing relevance. For example, "The company has targeted young adults for its new marketing campaign."

Is "has targeted" formal or informal?

"Has targeted" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives exist. It's commonly used in news reports, business documents, and academic papers.

What's the difference between "has targeted" and "is targeting"?

"Has targeted" indicates a completed action that may have ongoing effects, while "is targeting" indicates an action that is currently in progress.