set the target

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "set the target" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to determine a goal or objective that will be pursued. For example, "In order to achieve success, we must set the target of increasing sales by 10% this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

mach_port_set_attributes - Set the target port's attributes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Why set the target so high?

The Washington Post

thread_set_state - Set the target thread's user-mode execution state.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Two Americans, Christina Kim and Juli Inkster, set the target of 66.

The Guardian - Sport

World Health Organisation set the target for elimination: less than 2,000 new cases reported annually.

The Guardian

In our analysis, we have set the target that is compatible with 40% emissions reduction.

The Guardian

Noble has already set the target for next week's Twitterbombard: David Cameron.

The Guardian

In the project.yaml file, first set the target browser and device.

The Guardian

Finally, we investigated how to set the target time for which the model is created.

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

"We set the target about two years ahead of time for our athletes.

The New York Times - Sports

He has set the target for completion for 2014, and we mean to make that date".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "set the target", ensure the target is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) for effective goal setting.

Common error

Avoid setting overly broad or ambiguous targets. Instead of saying "set the target for improvement", specify the area and degree of improvement you're aiming for, like "set the target for a 15% reduction in customer service response time".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "set the target" functions as a verb phrase used to initiate the process of defining an objective or goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. The examples show its prevalent usage across various fields.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

19%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

9%

Wiki

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "set the target" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to define a specific goal or objective. As Ludwig AI points out, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. The phrase enjoys frequent use across various domains, including news, science, and formal business settings. It's crucial to ensure targets are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to maximize their effectiveness. Remember to avoid vague target-setting; instead, aim for clear and precise goals. Alternatives include phrases like "establish the goal" or "define the objective", depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

establish the goal

Replaces "target" with "goal", a synonym, slightly more general.

define the objective

Uses "define" instead of "set" and "objective" instead of "target", implying a more formal and precise definition.

determine the aim

Replaces "target" with "aim", suggesting a specific purpose or intention.

fix the benchmark

Emphasizes establishing a standard for comparison or evaluation.

lay down the marker

More idiomatic, suggesting setting a standard or limit.

designate the objective

A more formal and precise way to say "set the target".

stipulate the aim

Implies specifying the aim as a condition or requirement.

nominate the goal

Suggests formally choosing or recommending a goal.

prescribe the objective

Implies establishing the objective as a rule or guideline.

ascertain the target

Focuses on discovering or making certain the target.

FAQs

How can I use "set the target" in a sentence?

You can use "set the target" to indicate establishing a specific goal, for example, "The company "set the target" of increasing sales by 20% next year".

What are some alternatives to "set the target"?

Alternatives include "establish the goal", "define the objective", or "determine the aim", depending on the context.

Is it better to use "set a target" or "set the target"?

Both "set a target" and "set the target" are grammatically correct. "Set a target" is used when introducing a target for the first time, while "set the target" is used when referring to a specific target that has already been mentioned or is otherwise known.

What's the difference between "set the target" and "achieve the target"?

"Set the target" means to define or establish a goal, while "achieve the target" means to successfully reach that goal. They represent different stages of the goal-setting process.