the main aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the main aim' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the purpose or goal of something. For example, "The main aim of this project is to create a more efficient production system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is the main aim.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not the main aim".

The Guardian - Opinion

Tokyo is definitely the main aim though".

The Guardian - Sport

"The main aim is to target smuggling gangs.

The Guardian

As every DJ knows, that's the main aim.

The Guardian - Music

At the moment, the main aim is the QEII.

The Guardian - Sport

That sums up the main aim of the minisodes.

The New York Times - Tech

The results support the main aim.

Psicología Educativa

"The main aim is to get the team moving forward.

Independent

The main aim should be to stop genocidal killing.

The New York Times

The main aim was to compensate for damages.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the main aim", ensure that the context clearly defines what the other potential, secondary aims might be to avoid ambiguity. This helps to underscore the hierarchy of goals.

Common error

Avoid using "the main aim" when there is only one conceivable aim. In such cases, using simply "the aim" is more concise and direct.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the main aim" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to identify the primary goal or purpose within a given context.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

26%

Sport

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the main aim" is a very common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to emphasize the primary goal or purpose. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, appearing frequently in news, scientific, and sport-related content. Related phrases include "the principal goal" and "the primary objective". When using "the main aim", ensure clarity and avoid redundancy by only using it when there are multiple aims and you need to single out which one is of primary importance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the principal goal

Replaces "aim" with "goal", indicating a target or desired outcome.

the primary objective

Substitutes "aim" with "objective", emphasizing a specific, measurable outcome.

the central purpose

Replaces "main" with "central" and "aim" with "purpose", focusing on the core reason.

the key target

Uses "target" instead of "aim", highlighting a specific point to be achieved.

the chief intention

Replaces "aim" with "intention", emphasizing the planned course of action.

the overriding ambition

Substitutes "aim" with "ambition", suggesting a strong desire for achievement.

the foremost concern

Replaces "aim" with "concern", highlighting the most important issue to address.

the ultimate desire

Uses "desire" instead of "aim", emphasizing a strong wish or aspiration.

the fundamental reason

Substitutes "aim" with "reason", focusing on the underlying cause or motive.

the basic intent

Replaces "aim" with "intent", highlighting the planned course of action and the intended result.

FAQs

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

"The main aim" is used to highlight the most important goal or purpose. For example, "The main aim of the project is to reduce carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "the main aim"?

You can use alternatives such as "the principal goal", "the primary objective", or "the central purpose" to convey a similar meaning.

What's the difference between "the main aim" and "an aim"?

"The main aim" refers to the most important or primary goal, while "an aim" refers to any goal or purpose, regardless of its significance.

Is it redundant to say "the main aim" if there is only one aim?

Yes, if there is only one aim, it is more concise to simply say "the aim". Using "the main aim" implies there are other aims, but this one is most important.