he aims for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he aims for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are describing someone’s goals or ambitions. For example, "John is going to college next year; he aims for a degree in engineering."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

But he aims for more than that.

The New York Times

He aims for solid and consistent.

The New York Times - Sports

He aims for subtlety, but lapses into tedium.

The New York Times - Books

He aims for a writing that is in the world.

The Guardian - Books

What he aims for: You want the type to kiss the page, not bite the page.

The New York Times

(Batman thwarts him with a bulletproof vest; once Joker realizes this, he aims for his head).

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

He aimed for shortstop Brandon Crawford.

The New York Times - Sports

He aimed for the lungs.

The New York Times - Sports

He aimed for uplift rather than cool coddle.

The New York Times

He aimed for "what's possible within the system".

The New York Times

He aimed for what he called "a unique brand of WOW".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he aims for" when you want to convey a sense of purpose or intention behind someone's actions. It implies a directed effort towards a specific goal.

Common error

Avoid using "he aims for" when describing easily attainable goals. This phrase suggests a degree of ambition or challenge. For simple or routine objectives, consider using phrases like "he plans to" or "he intends to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he aims for" functions as a verbal phrase indicating someone's objective or goal. As seen in the examples provided by Ludwig, it expresses intention and direction towards a desired outcome. The phrase can be followed by a noun or noun phrase representing the target or aspiration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Sports

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he aims for" is a common and grammatically sound way to express someone's goals or ambitions, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its usage is widespread across various contexts, particularly in news, arts, and sports reporting. While versatile, it's best used when describing objectives that require effort or ambition. Alternative phrases like "he strives for" or "he aspires to" can offer nuanced variations in meaning, allowing for more precise communication. When writing, remember that while "he aims for" and "he aims to" are both valid, they take different grammatical structures. The phrase is safe to use in different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he aspires to

Emphasizes a strong desire or ambition to achieve something, often something lofty or significant.

he strives for

Highlights the effort and determination involved in pursuing a goal.

he intends to achieve

Focuses on the planned or deliberate nature of the action.

he is targeting

Indicates a specific objective or outcome that is being pursued.

he is working towards

Suggests a process or ongoing effort to reach a particular goal.

he is pursuing

Highlights the active and continuous engagement in trying to attain something.

he has set his sights on

Implies a firm decision to focus on and achieve a specific goal.

his goal is

Directly states the objective that someone is trying to accomplish.

he is reaching for

Suggests an ambitious attempt, possibly with some uncertainty of success.

he endeavors to

Conveys a formal and earnest attempt to accomplish something.

FAQs

How to use "he aims for" in a sentence?

The phrase "he aims for" is used to express someone's goals or ambitions. For example, "As a musician, "he aims for" achieving international recognition" or "In his new role, "he aims for" increasing the company's revenue by 20%."

What can I say instead of "he aims for"?

You can use alternatives like "he strives for", "he aspires to", or "he is targeting" depending on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "he aims for" or "he aims to"?

Both "he aims for" and "he aims to" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "He aims for" is typically followed by a noun (e.g., ""he aims for" success"), while "he aims to" is followed by a verb (e.g., "he aims to succeed").

What is the difference between "he aims for" and "he is aiming for"?

"He aims for" generally indicates a habitual or consistent goal, while "he is aiming for" suggests a current or ongoing effort. For example, "He aims for excellence in all his work" implies a general principle, whereas "he is aiming for a promotion this year" refers to a specific, current objective.