we aspired to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we aspired to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a desire or ambition to achieve something in the future. Example: "Throughout our journey, we aspired to create a positive impact on the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

And that's what we aspired to do.

Cornell University

That was what we aspired to".

The Guardian - Film

But that didn't mean we aspired to be do-it-yourselfers.

The New York Times

We would be able to do what we wanted and achieve what we aspired to.

The Guardian

"We aspired to blasphemy," says John Green, another of Paul's former NoZe Brothers.

The New Yorker

Once, we aspired to reach the moon; now, we just hope to hold on to what we've got.

The Guardian - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

"We aspire to inspire.

Independent

"We aspire to get there.

The New York Times - Sports

But we aspire to get it right".

Independent

Because we aspire to greater things.

The New York Times - Books

We aspire to do great things".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "we aspired to" to clearly communicate past goals and ambitions, especially when reflecting on endeavors that may or may not have been fully realized.

Common error

Avoid confusing "aspire" with "inspire". "Aspire" means to have ambitions, while "inspire" means to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, so ensure you're using the right word to express your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we aspired to" functions as a declarative statement expressing a past ambition or goal. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for conveying intentions. Examples show it used to describe goals in business, personal development, and societal impact.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

23%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we aspired to" is a grammatically correct and common way to express past ambitions or goals. As per Ludwig AI, it is useful in written English. It is frequently used in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you're clearly communicating a past intention, and avoid confusing "aspire" with similar words like "inspire". Alternatives like "we aimed for" or "we sought to" can be used for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we aimed for

Changes the verb to "aimed", suggesting a more direct and focused approach to achieving a specific goal.

we sought to

Uses "sought" which implies a more deliberate and persistent effort to find or achieve something.

we strived for

Replaces "aspired" with "strived", emphasizing the effort and struggle involved in pursuing a goal.

we had ambitions to

Expresses the idea as having ambitions, shifting the focus to the internal desire rather than the action.

it was our goal to

Rephrases the sentence to focus on the goal itself, rather than the act of aspiring.

we intended to

Uses "intended" which suggests a plan or purpose that was formed in the mind.

we desired to

Replaces "aspired" with "desired", emphasizing the strong feeling of wanting to achieve something.

we were determined to

Highlights the determination and resolve to achieve a particular outcome.

our objective was to

Focuses on the objective or aim, rather than the act of aspiring, and makes the phrase more formal.

we set out to

Implies starting a journey or endeavor with a specific intention or purpose.

FAQs

How can I use "we aspired to" in a sentence?

You can use "we aspired to" to express past goals or ambitions, such as "We aspired to create a sustainable business model" or "We aspired to be leaders in our industry".

What's a formal alternative to "we aspired to"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it was our goal to", "our objective was to", or "we sought to" for a more professional tone.

Is it always necessary to follow "we aspired to" with a verb?

Yes, "we aspired to" is typically followed by a verb in its base form (e.g., "we aspired to achieve", "we aspired to become"). Omitting the verb would make the sentence grammatically incomplete.

What's the difference between "we aspired to" and "we hoped to"?

"We aspired to" suggests a stronger ambition and a higher level of effort towards achieving a goal, while "we hoped to" implies a wish or expectation with less emphasis on active pursuit.