make an aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "make an aim" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used in contexts where someone is trying to express the act of setting a goal or objective. Example: "In order to succeed, it's important to make an aim for your personal development."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"I'm not not going to make an aim as specific as a medal but I do want to make that final," she said.

BBC

Also, make an aim account ( http://www.aim.com ) and add everyone.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Moreover, in situations where subjects make an aiming movement toward a target that moves with their body, pursuit eye movements must be coordinated with hand and/or arm movements for accurate motor performance (Maioli et al. 2007).

Cerebral Cortex

Instead, make a target and aim for that.

WikiHow

They use locally-grown teas, honeys and spices to make a product aimed at expats and a growing Chinese middle class with a thirst for beer.

BBC

But TomTom set out to make a device aimed at runners, designed by runners, and that's exactly what they've done.

TechCrunch

Remember not to make an inside joke aimed at your old school.

WikiHow

Here are four questions investors should ask themselves before making an investment aimed at avoiding the new taxes.

The New York Times

If you do decide to wax, aim to make an appointment every six to eight weeks in the beginning.

WikiHow

It aims to make an appointment "within the first quarter of 2007".

The Guardian

The growing gleaning movement aims to make an impact in cutting crop waste by gathering unharvested crops in British fields.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for more common and grammatically sound alternatives like "set a goal" or "establish an objective" to ensure clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "make an aim" in formal writing or professional communication. While understandable, it's not standard English and can detract from your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make an aim" functions as a verb phrase where "make" acts as a light verb. However, as Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is not a standard or preferred usage in English. The more common and idiomatic phrasing involves using "set" with "goal" or "objective".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "make an aim" is understandable, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI analysis suggests that it's better to use more conventional alternatives like "set a goal" or "establish an objective". The contexts in which it appears range from news to wikis, but its presence in authoritative sources is limited. Therefore, opting for more grammatically sound alternatives enhances clarity and credibility in writing. Overall, it's a less preferred choice in formal or professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

set a goal

Replaces the verb "make" with "set", a more common collocation for "goal" or "aim".

establish an objective

Uses "establish" instead of "make", and "objective" in place of "aim", resulting in a more formal tone.

formulate an ambition

Employs "formulate" and "ambition" for a more sophisticated and considered nuance.

define a purpose

Swaps "make" with "define" and "aim" with "purpose" for clarity and directness.

have a target

Replaces "make" with "have" and "aim" with "target", focusing on the object of the intention.

design an intention

Substitutes "make" with "design" and "aim" with "intention", suggesting a planned objective.

create a plan

Focuses on the planning aspect of setting an aim, implying a structured approach.

develop a strategy

Highlights the strategic element, implying a carefully considered aim.

set your sights on

Idiomatic expression that means to aim for something, often something ambitious.

aspire to achieve

Uses "aspire" to convey a sense of ambition and "achieve" to focus on accomplishment.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "make an aim"?

You can use alternatives like "set a goal", "establish an objective", or "define a purpose" depending on the context.

Is "make an aim" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "make an aim" is not considered standard or grammatically elegant English. It's better to use established phrases like "set a goal" or "establish an objective".

Which is correct, "make an aim" or "set a goal"?

"Set a goal" is more conventional and grammatically sound than "make an aim". Using "set a goal" ensures clarity and aligns with standard English usage.

How can I use the phrase "set a goal" effectively?

To effectively use "set a goal", ensure it is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, instead of saying "I want to make an aim to improve my writing", say "I will set a goal to write for 30 minutes every day to improve my writing skills by the end of the month".