serious aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious aim" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing a significant or important goal or objective. For example: "The organization has a serious aim to reduce carbon emissions by 50%." Alternative expressions include "serious objective" and "important goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The serious aim is to highlight papers that, although perhaps flawed, may still be interesting.

The Economist

Founded in 1920 by Katherine Dreier, Marcel Duchamp and Man Ray as an "experimental museum" and satirically incorporated society, Société Anonyme's more serious aim was to promote modern art in America.

The New York Times

The play, which is clearly based on the Jayson Blair scandal at the Times, has enough good, cheap stuff in it — emotional cliffhangers based on deceit, race, and other flashy tropes — to disguise its more serious aim: to be a thriller about language.

The New Yorker

Such lightheartedness had a serious aim: getting the couples to think about each other and improving their ability to communicate.The couples all new or expectant parents, none of them married were taking part in a workshop run by the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI), a programme that aims to help Oklahomans build and sustain healthy marriages.

The Economist

Such lightheartedness had a serious aim: getting the couples to think about each other and improving their ability to communicate.The couples all new or expectant parents, none of them married were taking part in a workshop run by the Oklahoma Marriage Initiative (OMI), a programme that aims to help build and sustain marriages.

The Economist

As well as fulfilling the TED audience's appetite for all things weird and wonderful, the experiment had a more serious aim.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Of the two, AM Homes has more serious aims and her work just gets better.

The Guardian - Books

Yet, actually, the populist fable rather befits the serious aims of Ryman and his avant-garde generation, who insisted on something very like full-frontal nudity in artistic intentions.

The New Yorker

In Barack Obama's lexicon of prudential juggling, to go ahead and nominate Chuck Hagel now, after the opposition in the last two weeks has used the time it was given to grow, would be merely a "distraction" from the serious aims of his presidency.

Huffington Post

This could take some serious aiming practice.

WikiHow

However, it has serious intent: this is aiming to introduce kids to the science of genetics.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider stronger verbs to show agency toward accomplishing the aim. Instead of "have a serious aim", try "pursue a serious aim" or "dedicate oneself to a serious aim".

Common error

Avoid using "serious aim" in informal settings where a less formal phrase would be more appropriate. Opt for alternatives like "main goal" or "key objective" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious aim" functions as a noun phrase where 'serious' modifies 'aim'. It acts as the subject or object of a sentence, denoting a significant objective. Ludwig confirms its usability, supported by numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious aim" is a grammatically correct and neutrally-registered expression used to denote an important goal or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. While not extremely frequent, the phrase is more common in news and media contexts. When writing, ensure the context aligns with the formal tone of the phrase; in casual settings, consider simpler alternatives. Overall, "serious aim" is a useful phrase for emphasizing the importance of a particular goal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earnest intention

Emphasizes the sincerity and determination behind the goal.

solemn objective

Highlights the gravity and importance of the target.

principal goal

Focuses on the primary nature of the aim.

major objective

Stresses the significance and scale of the objective.

key purpose

Indicates a fundamental reason or intention.

significant goal

Emphasizes the importance of the goal.

critical objective

Highlights the essential nature of the objective.

vital purpose

Stresses the necessity and importance of the purpose.

meaningful aspiration

Adds a sense of personal or broader value to the aim.

determined ambition

Highlights the ambition and resolve in pursuing the aim.

FAQs

What does "serious aim" mean?

The phrase "serious aim" refers to a significant and important goal or objective that someone intends to achieve. It implies a dedicated and focused effort towards a particular outcome.

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

You can use "serious aim" to describe the purpose of an action or project. For example, "The company's "serious aim" is to reduce carbon emissions by 50%".

What are some alternatives to "serious aim"?

You can use alternatives like "earnest intention", "solemn objective", or "principal goal" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "serious aim" formal or informal?

"Serious aim" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal phrase, suitable for professional writing, news reports, and academic contexts. In more casual settings, simpler alternatives like "main goal" may be more fitting.