overriding aim

USAGE SUMMARY

'overriding aim' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to a main goal that has priority over other goals. For example: "The overriding aim of this organization is to provide basic necessities to those in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The activity in Gaza has one clear overriding aim — to prevent the firing of Qassam rockets at Sderot and the firing of mortar shells at Jewish settlements in Gaza," Mr. Mofaz told troops this afternoon.

The New York Times

His overriding aim is to save the Islamic system.

The Economist

That too should be Mr Howard's overriding aim.

The Economist

The Iraqi dictator's overriding aim, apart from keeping himself in power, is to sell oil again.

The Economist

The overriding aim, the project's members contend, is to generate interest in American history among students and nonstudents alike.

The New York Times

After he was tragically proved right, Keynes's "one overriding aim" was for the Allies "to do better than last time".

The New York Times - Books

Like Cardiff, promotion is the overriding aim but unlike Malky Mackay, King will not be resting his entire first team.

The Guardian - Sport

Hollande vowed to project the "best image" of France, saying his overriding aim and motto was justice.

The Guardian

His overriding aim was to unite the realms of England and Scotland by securing for Mary recognition as successor to England's Queen Elizabeth I.

Britannica

Also understand that the junta's overriding aim is not to make friends and do business around the world, but to hold on to power.

The New Yorker

These days transport planners make a few concessions to cyclists, pedestrians and buses, but their overriding aim is still to maximise the flow of private vehicles.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overriding aim" to clearly communicate priorities, especially in strategic planning or when explaining a complex project.

Common error

Avoid using "overriding aim" when the objective is merely significant, not absolutely crucial; this can dilute its impact. Consider weaker terms like "primary focus" or "major goal" if the goal is not truly dominant.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overriding aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples confirm it denotes a principal, dominant objective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

22%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overriding aim" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote the most important goal or objective. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and common, appearing across various contexts such as news, science, and encyclopedias. While alternatives like "primary objective" or "main goal" exist, "overriding aim" is particularly useful for setting clear priorities in strategic communications. Ensure that it accurately reflects the most crucial goal to avoid diluting its impact. Using "overriding aim" helps to communicate the principal target clearly in formal and professional settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

primary objective

Focuses on the objective being first in importance.

main goal

Emphasizes the goal as the principal one.

principal objective

Highlights the objective's chief or leading role.

chief aim

Stresses the importance of the aim as the most significant.

ultimate goal

Focuses on the final or eventual aim.

top priority

Indicates that something is of the highest importance.

central purpose

Indicates that the purpose is at the center of focus.

key objective

Focuses on the objective being the key or essential one.

core focus

Highlights the main area of attention or concentration.

essential target

Emphasizes that the target is crucial and necessary.

FAQs

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

You can use "overriding aim" to describe the most important objective. For example: "The company's "overriding aim" is to increase customer satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "overriding aim"?

Some alternatives to "overriding aim" include "primary objective", "main goal", or "principal objective".

Is it correct to say "the overriding aim is to"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the overriding aim is to". This phrasing is commonly used to introduce the most important objective or goal.

What is the difference between "overriding aim" and "ultimate aim"?

"Overriding aim" refers to the most important goal that takes precedence over others, while "ultimate aim" refers to the final goal to be achieved.