the central aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the central aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary goal or objective of a discussion, project, or study. Example: "The central aim of this research is to explore the effects of climate change on biodiversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

After all, the maximisation of pleasure was the central aim of utilitarian ethics.

The Guardian - Books

The central aim of the European Space Agency's ExoMars mission, is to seek out any remaining bio-signatures left behind.

The Guardian

Of course, the central aim of the U.S. Vietnam policy had never been to develop the economy & reform the gov't.

The New Yorker

The president, meanwhile, has wasted three years seeking to gain western support for what he still believes to be the central aim on Syria – Assad's overthrow.

The Guardian

The company executives have suggested that the central aim of any sale is to protect the company's newspapers, particularly the flagship Times.

The New York Times

The central aim of the financial overhaul proposed by the former Federal Reserve chief Paul Volcker was quite simple: Let's stop banks from behaving like hedge funds.

The New York Times

What is the central aim of financial services regulation?" Her remarks did not provide specific answers to those questions, but she tried to reassure the bankers.

The New York Times

Jeremy Corbyn faces a continuing struggle to assert his authority over the shadow cabinet after Hilary Benn directly challenged the central aim of his lengthy reshuffle: to achieve a consensus over foreign and defence policy.

The Guardian

As for the sabotage charge, Kirby asserted that harming the national defense of the United States had been the central aim of the protesters: "their whole purpose was to interfere with or obstruct Y-12 operations".

The New Yorker

But Tamimi said the playbook, along with a further 300 Isis documents he has obtained over the past year, showed that building a viable country rooted in fundamentalist theology was the central aim.

The Guardian

This is not just because the Queen's reign began shortly after the end of the Second World War, which gave rise to the creation of the EU with the central aim of maintaining peace in Europe.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the central aim" to introduce the most important objective, then use secondary objectives after that.

Common error

Avoid using "the central aim" to describe minor or supporting goals. This dilutes the importance of the actual primary objective and can confuse your audience. Ensure your central aim is truly the most important and overarching purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the central aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It identifies the main objective or goal of an action, study, or project. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often follows verbs like "is", "was", or "to be".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the central aim" is a widely used and grammatically sound phrase that effectively communicates the primary objective or goal. Ludwig confirms that this phrase appears frequently in news, science and business publications, reflecting its broad applicability. To ensure clarity in your writing, use "the central aim" to highlight the most critical goal. Alternatives such as "the primary objective" or "the main goal" may be considered depending on the context and desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary objective

Emphasizes the importance of the objective as being first in order or significance.

the main goal

Focuses on the desired outcome or result.

the principal purpose

Highlights the reason for which something is done or created.

the chief objective

Stresses the hierarchical importance of the objective.

the core intention

Highlights the underlying motivation or desire.

the key objective

Focuses on the critical or essential nature of the objective.

the fundamental goal

Highlights the foundational nature of the goal.

the overriding purpose

Emphasizes the dominant or prevailing nature of the purpose.

the ultimate objective

Highlights the final or concluding objective.

the underlying motive

Focuses on the hidden or less obvious reason behind an action.

FAQs

How can I use "the central aim" in a sentence?

You can use "the central aim" to clearly state the primary objective of a project, study, or initiative. For example, "The central aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of the new treatment."

What are some alternatives to "the central aim"?

Alternatives include "the primary objective", "the main goal", or "the principal purpose". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "the central aim" in formal writing?

Yes, "the central aim" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and concise way to express the primary goal of a document or project. Its usage in academic, news and business contexts is well documented.

What is the difference between "the central aim" and "the secondary aim"?

"The central aim" refers to the most important or primary objective, while "the secondary aim" refers to a less important or supporting objective. Understanding the difference is crucial for clearly communicating priorities.