it was aspiring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was aspiring" is not correct in standard written English.
The term "aspiring" is typically used as an adjective to describe someone who has ambitions or hopes to achieve something, rather than as a verb. Example: "She was an aspiring artist, always working on her craft and dreaming of her first gallery show."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Independent

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Intellectually, I understood the arguments around modesty but when I reflected on it, it was aspiring to be a good Muslim (that motivated me).

Independent

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said he had told Mr Putin that "Russia would be so much more attractive if it was aspiring to be a superpower for peace and prosperity, if it was trying to be a superpower for ideas and for values, instead of trying to recreate the lost glories of tsarism or the old Soviet Union".

Independent

Russia would be so much more attractive if it was aspiring to be a superpower for peace and freedom and prosperity, if it were trying to be a superpower for ideas and values, instead of trying to recreate the lost glories of tsarism or the old Soviet Union".

The Guardian

Abbott later said of the meeting: "One of the points I tried to make to Putin is that Russia would be so much more attractive if it was aspiring to be a superpower for peace and freedom and prosperity; if it were trying to be a superpower for ideas and values instead of trying to recreate the lost glories of tsarism or the old Soviet Union".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Almost all the women who own it are aspiring artists, and the painting makes them examine their own talent and ambition.

The New York Times - Books

To an outsider, it might seem like stage-fighting with battery-powered lightsabers, but to Mr. Michael, it is aspiring righteous warriors communing with the Force, that energy that gives the Jedi his power and binds the galaxy.

The New York Times

If it's not The Autistic Gardener letting rip with his floral fireworks, it's aspiring thesps in Young, Autistic and Stagestruck or detective Saga Norén deadpanning her way through another murder mystery in The Bridge.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Whether it's aspiring to work as a nurse in a hospital, or setting up and running your own business, Labour should be about ensuring fairness, so that everyone has the same chance in life to reach their goals.

The Guardian

Due to these frustrating facts, it is aspiring to perform an analysis of T. pallidum's metabolic network in silico.

BioMed Research International

I'm not saying I do this perfectly -- or even have discerned how to be gracious in relationships -- but it is what I'm aspiring to.

Huffington Post

Adler: Do you think it was a look people were aspiring to or more a reflection of reality?

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If the context requires you to use the word aspiring you can write sentence like "it was something to aspire to".

Common error

Avoid using "aspiring" directly after "it was" as a verb. Instead, rephrase to use "aspiring" as an adjective (e.g., "it was an aspiring project") or use a more suitable verb like "aiming" or "seeking".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was aspiring" functions as part of a clause, attempting to describe the action or state of something. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, the construction is grammatically incorrect. It's often intended to express ambition or intent.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Independent

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was aspiring" appears in some contexts, particularly in news and media, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, "aspiring" is best used as an adjective or in constructions like "it was something to aspire to". Consider using alternatives like "it was aiming to", "it was seeking to", or restructuring your sentence for clarity. Therefore, it's vital to be mindful of this subtle grammatical aspect and ensure precision in your writing, particularly in formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was aiming to

Replaces "aspiring" with "aiming", focusing on the intention or goal but keeps a very close sintax.

it was trying to

Substitutes "aspiring" with "trying", emphasizing the effort being made, and keeping the general meaning.

it had the ambition to

Replaces the verb "aspiring" with a noun phrase, highlighting the presence of ambition.

it sought to

Uses "sought" as a more formal alternative to "aspiring", conveying a sense of actively pursuing a goal.

it was designed to

Focuses on the intended purpose or function rather than aspiration.

it was endeavoring to

Replaces "aspiring" with "endeavoring", indicating a serious and sustained effort.

it was hoping to

Expresses a desire or wish for something, which is a lighter version of aspiration.

it strived to

Uses "strived" to emphasize the effort and determination involved in pursuing a goal.

it had aspirations of

Reformulates the phrase to emphasize aspirations as a quality, rather than an action.

it was working towards

Highlights the ongoing process of making progress toward a goal.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "aspire" in a sentence?

Use "aspire" with a "to + verb" construction (e.g., "I aspire to become a doctor"). Alternatively, use "aspire" as an adjective before a noun (e.g., "an aspiring writer").

What are some alternatives to "it was aspiring to"?

Consider alternatives such as "it was "aiming to"", "it was "seeking to"", or "it was "striving to"" depending on the intended meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was aspiring"?

Generally, no. "Aspiring" is more commonly used as an adjective. You would typically say "it was something to aspire to" or use a different verb construction.

What's the difference between "aspiring to" and "aiming to"?

"Aspiring to" suggests a strong desire or ambition, while ""aiming to"" simply indicates an intention or goal. The former implies a higher level of ambition.