Meaning
Direct effort or attention toward something; intend to achieve a specific target.
Primary Function
Targeting a person, group, or goal
Communicative Purpose
To indicate intentionality in directing actions or resources toward a specific objective
Pattern
aim at
Core Structure
aim at
Função primária
Targeting a person, group, or goal
Propósito comunicativo
To indicate intentionality in directing actions or resources toward a specific objective
Situações de gatilho
Marketing campaigns, setting personal goals, sports like archery, strategic planning
Contextos
Business, advertising, education, sports, everyday conversation
Padrão
aim at
Estrutura central
aim at
Slots de substituição
a person, a group, a goal, an outcome, a target
Colocados típicos
- young adults
- brand awareness
- the target
- the bullseye
- efficiency
Substituições comuns
- target (more direct)
- intend to (less precise)
- be directed at (more passive)
Erros comuns
Using 'aim to' with a noun (e.g., 'aim to young adults') instead of 'aim at'; using 'aim at' with an infinitive (e.g., 'aim at to increase')
Similar / contraste
target, be directed at
Interferências
Learners often confuse 'aim at' (target + noun/gerund) with 'aim to' (intend + infinitive); L1 speakers may transfer direct object structures from their native language.
Família do chunk
- aim
Nuance
Implies deliberate, focused intention rather than random action
Efeito pragmático
Conveys strategy, precision, and purposefulness in communication
Dica de memória
Target with at
Nota
This chunk is a prepositional verb that can be followed by a noun or gerund to specify a target or goal.
Upgrade path
aim for the stars
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