to aim for

USAGE SUMMARY

"to aim for" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the intention to work hard towards achieving a goal, such as "I'm aiming for a high score on the next exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Try to aim for a 3-to-5 range.

WikiHow

The silhouette to aim for?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's something to aim for".

The Guardian - Sport

You always need to aim for perfection".

The Guardian - Sport

That's a beautiful thing to aim for.

The Guardian - Tech

That's what I'm trying to aim for.

The Guardian - Sport

It's a smart target to aim for.

The New Yorker

It gives others something to aim for.

The Guardian - Opinion

Smarter, surely, to aim for another kid-friendly hit.

The New York Times - Arts

"He showed me a benchmark to aim for.

The Guardian - Film

But maybe its more ambitious to aim for Heaven...'.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to aim for" when you want to express the intention of achieving a particular standard or goal. For example: "We need to aim for better results this quarter."

Common error

While "aim at" can be used similarly, it often implies directing something (like a weapon) at a target. Use "to aim for" when referring to aspirations or goals, and "aim at" for physical targets.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to aim for" serves as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the intended outcome or objective of an action. Ludwig shows that it is commonly used to express the goals someone is striving to achieve.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to aim for" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to express goals and aspirations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for expressing the intention to achieve a particular objective. Found predominantly in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various communication styles. Related phrases include "to strive for" and "to aspire to", offering subtle nuances in meaning. Remember to use "to aim for" when discussing goals, differentiating it from "aim at", which often refers to physical targets.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to strive for

Uses "strive" instead of "aim", implying a more intense effort.

to aspire to

Emphasizes a strong desire or ambition.

to target

More direct and action-oriented than "aim for".

to set your sights on

Idiomatic and emphasizes having a clear goal.

to pursue

Focuses on the action of following a goal.

to work towards

Highlights the effort and process involved.

to endeavor to

More formal and emphasizes a serious attempt.

to seek

General term for trying to find or achieve something.

to have as a goal

Explicitly states the presence of a goal.

to intend to achieve

Focuses on the intention to accomplish something.

FAQs

How can I use "to aim for" in a sentence?

You can use "to aim for" to express a goal or aspiration. For example, "I'm going to "aim for" a promotion this year."

What's the difference between "to aim for" and "to aim at"?

"To aim for" generally refers to aspirations and goals, while "to aim at" often refers to physically directing something towards a target. It is better to "aim for" a promotion and "aim at" a target.

What can I say instead of "to aim for"?

You can use alternatives like "strive for", "aspire to", or "target" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am aiming to get" instead of "I am aiming for"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I am "aiming for"" often implies a specific result or object, while "I am aiming to get" suggests a more general intention. For instance: "I am "aiming for" a scholarship" vs. "I am aiming to get better at playing guitar".