initial aim

USAGE SUMMARY

"initial aim" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use "initial aim" to refer to the first objective or goal someone was trying to achieve. For example, "His initial aim was to save enough money to buy a car, but he ended up spending it on a vacation instead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A good cry is the initial aim".

The New York Times - Books

Has Mr. Hamburg's initial aim succeeded?

The New York Times

His initial aim is to destroy the mob.

The Guardian - Film

Indeed, his initial aim was to be a conventional actor.

The Guardian

Their initial aim was to make a cabaret show.

The Guardian

The initial aim is to use the new method to complement the traditional autopsy.

The Guardian

Cista's candidates will campaign for a royal commission to review the UK's drug laws relating to cannabis – a relatively modest initial aim calibrated to maximise its appeal.

The Guardian

The initial aim was to provide an outlet – and state-of-the-art studios – for musicians playing at Womad, but Real World releases have been intriguingly eclectic.

The Guardian - Music

From its initial aim to raise €50bn euro by 2019, Athens now says it wants to raise €11.1bn by 2016 and €25bn by 2020.

The Guardian - Business

According to Forbes, the scope of Australia's internet censorship has developed far beyond its initial aim to block child pornography and web pages associated with terrorism.

The Guardian

The initial aim was for two concerts, in London's Hyde Park and in Bamako, Mali, and according to Ashbridge "Albarn was keen on collaboration from the start".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the evolution of a project or strategy, use "initial aim" to clearly define the starting point before changes or adaptations occurred.

Common error

Avoid using "initial aim" when referring to long-term aspirations. "Initial aim" is best used to describe the specific, immediate objective at the start of a process, not the overarching vision.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It specifies the original intention or objective at the beginning of an endeavor. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered correct and widely used in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

25%

Science

52%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initial aim" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to denote the primary objective or goal at the commencement of a project or activity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile for use across different writing styles. It’s especially prevalent in scientific and news contexts. Remember to use it to specify the starting point and avoid using it for broader, long-term aspirations. Alternatives such as "original intention" or "starting objective" can add nuance depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

original intention

Focuses on the original plan or purpose, emphasizing the mental aspect of the goal.

starting objective

Highlights the objective as a starting point, often implying a series of objectives.

primary goal

Emphasizes the importance of the goal as the main focus from the beginning.

first objective

Similar to "initial aim", but puts more emphasis on the chronological order of objectives.

original purpose

Highlights the original reason or intention behind an action or plan.

early goal

Focuses on the temporal aspect of the goal, emphasizing that it was set early on.

preliminary objective

Indicates that the objective is a step or phase before further action.

initial target

Emphasizes a specific target that one aims to achieve at the start.

basic intent

Highlights the fundamental intention or purpose.

opening gambit

Suggests the initial action or strategy in a more strategic or competitive context.

FAQs

How can I use "initial aim" in a sentence?

You can use "initial aim" to describe the primary goal or objective at the beginning of a project, study, or endeavor. For example, "The "initial aim" of the research was to identify the key factors contributing to climate change."

What are some alternatives to "initial aim"?

Some alternatives to "initial aim" include "original intention", "starting objective", or "primary goal". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "initial aim" formal or informal?

"Initial aim" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a clear and straightforward way to describe a starting objective in various types of writing and speech.

What's the difference between "initial aim" and "ultimate goal"?

"Initial aim" refers to the first objective or step in a process, while "ultimate goal" refers to the final, desired outcome. The "initial aim" is what you set out to do first, and the ultimate goal is what you hope to achieve in the end.