principal target

USAGE SUMMARY

"principal target" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to refer to the main or most important goal or aim. For example: "The company's principal target is to increase sales by 10% in the next quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The principal target is London," Bruguière declared.

The New Yorker

Michael Essien was the principal target.

The Guardian - Sport

The principal target of Monday's sanctions was Rosneft.

The Guardian

Councils, without a strategic housing plan, were the principal target.

The Guardian

Where once the principal target was Jews, now it's Muslims.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the projects all share a principal target market: the wealthiest residents in the city.

The Guardian

No armies came to our shores, and our military was not the principal target.

The Guardian

This generation has been the principal target for mobile retail strategies, which makes sense.

The Guardian

"France is the principal target for an army of terrorists of unlimited means.

The Guardian

The principal target of this blistering critique is the Bush administration, particularly Donald Rumsfeld.

The New York Times

That market failure is a principal target of the Obama administration's plan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "principal target", ensure it clearly identifies the main focus or objective to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the "principal target" of a marketing campaign or a scientific study.

Common error

Avoid confusing secondary objectives with the "principal target". Clearly differentiate between the primary goal and any supporting aims to maintain focus and clarity in your communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "principal target" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or direct object in a sentence. It identifies the primary focus or aim. Ludwig examples demonstrate this usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "principal target" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote the main objective or focus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. It appears frequently in "News & Media" and "Science", contexts, indicating its versatility across various registers. To ensure clarity in writing, it's essential to differentiate the "principal target" from secondary objectives. Alternatives such as "main objective" or "primary goal" can be used depending on the specific context. "Principal target" helps convey the core aim with precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main objective

Focuses on the intended outcome or goal.

primary goal

Emphasizes the importance of the intended achievement.

chief aim

Highlights the main purpose or intention.

key objective

Stresses the significance of the specific goal.

central focus

Highlights the core point of attention or effort.

major priority

Indicates the most important item or task to be addressed.

prime concern

Emphasizes the foremost worry or interest.

primary concern

Highlights the foremost worry or interest.

target audience

Specifies the group intended to be reached or influenced.

intended recipient

Focuses on who the action or item is designed for.

FAQs

How can I use "principal target" in a sentence?

You can use "principal target" to refer to the main objective or focus of an action or strategy. For example, "The principal target of the advertising campaign is young adults."

What are some alternatives to using "principal target"?

Alternatives to "principal target" include "main objective", "primary goal", or "chief aim", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "primary target" or "principal target"?

"Principal target" and "primary target" are often interchangeable, but "principal target" may imply a higher level of importance or focus. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "principal target" differ from "target audience"?

"Principal target" generally refers to the main goal or objective, while "target audience" refers to the specific group of people that an action or message is intended for. Although there may be an overlap, the terms are not the same.