the overriding aim

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the overriding aim" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the primary or most important goal in a particular context or situation. Example: "In our project, the overriding aim is to enhance user experience and satisfaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

The overriding aim, the project's members contend, is to generate interest in American history among students and nonstudents alike.

The New York Times

Like Cardiff, promotion is the overriding aim but unlike Malky Mackay, King will not be resting his entire first team.

The Guardian - Sport

The overriding aim of the alliance is to highlight the suffering caused to immigrant families by the Obama administration's vigorous deportation programme.

The Guardian

"Nigel is a gentleman and, as proved by his record, a very good manager, but the overriding aim is promotion from League One and the club feels that this is the correct time to make a change.

The Guardian - Sport

Selling off the railways was a bad idea in principle, as it transformed them from being a public service to a business, where the overriding aim was profit maximisation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Republicans, it seems, are no longer prepared to sacrifice their own views to the overriding aim of getting their president re-elected.On the particular issue of intelligence reform, Mr Bush might yet find a bipartisan deal.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

The overriding aims of the IMF programme now in place are to restore some semblance of stability to the currency and shore up the country's financial system.

The Economist

The overriding aims within this field are twofold, first, suppression of the adaptive immune response in order to prevent immune rejection and second, redirection of the host immune response toward a constructive and favorable phenotype.

Host Response to Biomaterials The Impact of Host Response on Biomaterial Selection

Sinéad O'Connor performed "Only You", which O'Sullivan described as "very much in line with one of the overriding aims of the film, which was to be hopeful and tell people that these amazing love stories really can happen, it's not just a fairy tale".

Wikipedia

Good access, safety and quality are the overriding aims of all health systems and such factors are crucial when considering the problem of infections resulting from childbirth.

Globalization and Health

The survey indicates that the Research Programme provides increased recruitment of well-qualified PhD candidates; however this overriding aim can only be evaluated in 3 5 years.

BMC Medical Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the overriding aim", ensure that it clearly reflects the single most important goal. Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating what actions or decisions support this aim.

Common error

Avoid using "the overriding aim" when multiple goals share equal importance. Instead, use a phrase like "key aims" or "primary goals" to accurately reflect the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the overriding aim" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the most important goal or objective in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts, as seen in provided examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the overriding aim" is a versatile phrase used to emphasize the most important goal or objective across a variety of contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and commonly employed in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, make sure it reflects the single most important goal, and avoid using it when multiple goals share equal importance. Alternatives include "the primary goal" or "the main objective". While usage is common, careful attention ensures clarity and appropriateness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the primary goal

Focuses on the goal being the first in order of importance.

the main objective

Highlights the key objective to be achieved.

the chief purpose

Emphasizes the principal reason or intention.

the central focus

Indicates the main point of attention or effort.

the principal objective

Stresses the main objective among others.

the ultimate goal

Highlights the final or most important goal.

the key intention

Focuses on the core intention behind an action or plan.

the foremost aim

Emphasizes that the aim is at the front or most important.

the supreme objective

Indicates the highest or most important objective.

the fundamental purpose

Highlights the purpose being the base or foundation.

FAQs

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

Use "the overriding aim" to introduce the most important goal or objective in a particular situation. For example, "The overriding aim of the project is to improve user satisfaction."

What are some alternatives to "the overriding aim"?

You can use alternatives like "the primary goal", "the main objective", or "the chief purpose" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "the overriding aim" in formal writing?

Yes, "the overriding aim" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when discussing strategic goals or objectives in academic, business, or professional contexts. Just be sure that it is truly the single most important goal.

What is the difference between "the overriding aim" and "a secondary objective"?

"The overriding aim" refers to the most important goal, while "a secondary objective" is a less critical, supporting goal. Use "the overriding aim" when you want to emphasize the primary focus, and secondary objectives should support or contribute to the overriding aim.