have lofty goals

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have lofty goals" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing aspirations or ambitions that are high or noble in nature. Example: "In her career, she has always aimed to have lofty goals, striving to make a significant impact in her field."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Kleybanova said she did not have lofty goals about regaining her ranking quickly.

The New York Times

The Gulas' fund has mainly made small investments so far, but the pair have lofty goals.

The Washington Post

The airline may yet find that it is one thing to have lofty goals, but another to meet them.

The Economist

She said Ban would press business leaders to live up to their corporate sustainability policies – which often have lofty goals on climate change that remain unmet.

The Guardian

Based on your responses, the tool puts you in various categories — like, Mountain Climber, which means you have "lofty goals" but are willing to take "reasonable risks" to reach them — and recommends an investment allocation.

The New York Times

Although local papers often run editorials complaining of Boracay's existing overdevelopment, some property developers have lofty goals for the island – from water parks to luxury villas – and the Crown Regency aims to be at the forefront of that expansion.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Other teams, he said, have loftier goals.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Hilton, however, seems to have loftier goals than page views.

The New York Times

"You have loftier goals now, but it's essentially just another race.

The New York Times - Sports

If Lagos's urban spaces seem like an odd place to have a late-night picnic, its organisers have loftier goals in mind.

The Guardian

But donors often have loftier goals in mind and want their foundation to play a continuing role in their particular area of interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have lofty goals" when you want to emphasize not just the presence of goals, but also their ambitious and aspirational nature. It's effective in contexts where the goals are intended to inspire or represent significant achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "have lofty goals" to describe objectives that are clearly unattainable or based on fantasy. Lofty goals should still be grounded in some level of feasibility, even if they require significant effort and innovation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have lofty goals" functions as a descriptor, indicating that someone or something possesses ambitious and aspirational objectives. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

33%

Science

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have lofty goals" is a grammatically sound and widely understood expression used to describe the possession of ambitious and aspirational objectives. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability. While it appears most frequently in news and media, formal business settings also utilize the phrase. Consider alternative expressions like "aspire to greatness" or "aim high" to add nuance to your writing. Ensure your goals are ambitious but still grounded in reality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have great aspirations

Similar to "have lofty goals" but emphasizes the aspirational nature of the goals.

aspire to greatness

Focuses on the act of aspiring, highlighting ambition's motivational aspect.

set ambitious targets

Emphasizes the setting of specific targets, making it suitable for goal-oriented contexts.

aim high

A more concise and general way of expressing the pursuit of ambitious objectives.

harbor grand ambitions

Focuses on the internal aspect of ambition, suggesting deeply held aspirations.

pursue ambitious objectives

Highlights the active pursuit of objectives, suitable for contexts emphasizing action.

dream big

A more informal way of expressing ambitious aspirations.

reach for the stars

A metaphorical expression indicating the setting of very high aspirations.

strive for excellence

Emphasizes the pursuit of excellence, often implying a broader scope than specific goals.

be driven by ambition

Focuses on the driving force of ambition, suitable for describing individuals motivated by their goals.

FAQs

How can I use "have lofty goals" in a sentence?

You can use "have lofty goals" to describe individuals, teams, or organizations that set ambitious and aspirational objectives. For example, "The company's leadership team "have lofty goals" for expanding into new markets".

What does it mean to "have lofty goals"?

To "have lofty goals" means to possess ambitions that are high, noble, and aspirational. These goals often involve significant achievements or impact and require considerable effort and dedication to attain.

What can I say instead of "have lofty goals"?

You can use alternatives like "aspire to greatness", "set ambitious targets", or "aim high" depending on the context.

Is it better to "have lofty goals" or "have realistic goals"?

It depends on the context and what you're trying to achieve. "Having lofty goals" can inspire and motivate, pushing you to achieve more than you thought possible. However, "having realistic goals" ensures that your objectives are attainable and prevents discouragement. A balance of both is often ideal.