lofty goal

USAGE SUMMARY

"lofty goal" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe an ambitious and difficult-to-achieve goal. For example, "She set herself the lofty goal of becoming the fastest runner in the state."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it's a lofty goal.

Stanford University

"It's a lofty goal," Lee said.

The New York Times - Sports

So Ryu replaced one lofty goal with another.

The New York Times

Not a lofty goal, but still an ambitious one.

The Economist

Not a lofty goal, but perhaps a realistic one.

The Economist

Will the coalition ever achieve its lofty goal?

The Guardian

Aesthetics are far from a lofty goal, she said.

The New York Times

But do PES and related incentive programs achieve that lofty goal?

Ecological Economics

But Wales's lofty goal got him a TED Talk in 2005.

The New York Times - Magazine

A new space race to the moon has an even less lofty goal: sightseeing.

The Economist

Does he have a bigger or more lofty goal than simply amassing power for power's sake?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lofty goal", ensure the context clearly illustrates the ambitious and potentially challenging nature of the goal. Provide specific details to highlight why the goal is considered lofty.

Common error

Avoid using "lofty goal" to describe easily achievable objectives. This diminishes the phrase's impact and can make your writing sound hyperbolic. Reserve it for genuinely ambitious aims.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lofty goal" functions as a noun phrase, where "lofty" modifies the noun "goal". It describes a specific type of goal – one that is ambitious, elevated, and often difficult to achieve. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

26%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lofty goal" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an ambitious and challenging objective. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase can be used in written English. It is prevalent across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. While the phrase is relatively versatile, it is important to ensure it accurately reflects the scale and difficulty of the goal being described, as overstating the achievability of the goal can diminish the phrase's impact. Alternatives such as "ambitious objective" or "high-reaching aspiration" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ambitious objective

Focuses on the ambition and purpose, removing the subjective evaluation of the goal's height.

High-reaching aspiration

Emphasizes the aspirational nature and the great extent of the goal.

Grand ambition

Highlights the ambitious and impressive scale of the aim.

Audacious aim

Stresses the boldness and risk associated with the goal.

Ambitious target

Similar to "ambitious objective", but often used in more quantifiable contexts.

Elevated aspiration

Highlights the superior and ambitious nature of the aspiration.

Exalted purpose

Focuses on the noble and elevated nature of the goal.

Sky-high ambition

Uses a more informal and visual metaphor to emphasize the extreme height of the ambition.

Challenging endeavor

Emphasizes the difficulty and effort required to achieve the goal, shifting focus from the aspiration itself.

Monumental undertaking

Focuses on the large scale and significant impact of the endeavor.

FAQs

How to use "lofty goal" in a sentence?

You can use "lofty goal" to describe an ambitious objective that is difficult to achieve. For example: "Becoming fluent in Mandarin in one year is a "lofty goal"."

What can I say instead of "lofty goal"?

You can use alternatives like "ambitious objective", "high-reaching aspiration", or "grand ambition" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "lofty goal" or "high goal"?

"Lofty goal" is generally preferred over "high goal" when describing an ambitious and challenging objective. "Lofty" implies a sense of elevation, ambition, and difficulty, making it a more impactful descriptor.

What's the difference between "lofty goal" and "ambitious goal"?

While both phrases describe challenging objectives, "lofty goal" often implies a sense of idealism or grandness that "ambitious goal" might not fully capture. "Lofty goal" suggests a goal that is elevated not just in difficulty but also in its potential impact or significance.