it was targeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was targeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing an action or intention directed towards a specific subject or group in the past. Example: "The campaign was successful because it was targeting young adults who are interested in technology."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

In a blogpost, Waymo said it was targeting its Lidar (light detection and ranging) units at industries including robotics, security and agriculture not other self-drive cars.

BBC

He said he couldn't confirm which company it was targeting in its investigation.

The Washington Post

Nokia added it was targeting an increase in its market share for the whole year.

Forbes

Google won't discuss which websites it was targeting or how it revised its algorithm.

Los Angeles Times

It was targeting innocent people".

The Guardian

"It was targeting many of our outstanding foreign scientists.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It was targeted public funding of athletes and infrastructure," Barber added.

The Guardian

Which is surely in part why it was targeted.

The Washington Post

It was targeted by vandals who removed his name.

The Guardian - Books

It was targeted basically to the lunch meal occasion.

Forbes

A couple of years ago it was targeted therapies.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it was targeting", ensure the subject clearly identifies what is doing the targeting, and the object clarifies what or whom is being targeted to maintain clarity.

Common error

Be specific about what "it" refers to when using "it was targeting". Ensure that the antecedent of "it" is unambiguous to avoid confusing the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was targeting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past action of directing efforts or resources towards a specific goal or recipient. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was targeting" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to describe a past action of directing efforts towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI validates its usability across various contexts. Predominantly found in news and media, scientific, and business sources, it maintains a neutral to professional register. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "it aimed at" or "it focused on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it aimed at

Replaces "targeting" with a more direct verb, suggesting a clear intention or goal.

it focused on

Emphasizes the concentration of effort or attention on a particular subject.

it was aimed at

Uses a passive voice to highlight the recipient of the action.

it was directed at

Similar to "it was aimed at", but can also imply guidance or instruction.

it sought to

Suggests an attempt or effort to achieve a specific objective.

it had as its goal

Clearly states the intended outcome or purpose.

its objective was

Similar to "it had as its goal", but emphasizes the strategic nature of the purpose.

it intended to

Highlights the planned or deliberate nature of the action.

it set out to

Implies an intentional beginning or initiation of an action.

the target was

The expression shifts the emphasis to the target itself, as the main subject of the sentence.

FAQs

What does "it was targeting" mean?

The phrase "it was targeting" means that something or someone was directing its efforts or actions towards a specific goal, objective, or recipient in the past.

How can I use "it was targeting" in a sentence?

You can use "it was targeting" to describe the intended recipient of an action. For example, "The marketing campaign "it was targeting" young adults interested in technology".

What can I say instead of "it was targeting"?

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

Is "it was targeting" formal or informal?

"It was targeting" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives might be preferred in certain situations.