What Does “Aim to do sth” Mean?
“Aim to do sth” means to have a goal or intention to do something. It expresses a plan or purpose to achieve a specific action or result.
Introduction
The phrase “aim to do sth” is commonly used in English to talk about plans, goals, or intentions. When you say you “aim to do something,” you are expressing what you hope or plan to accomplish. Understanding the aim to do sth meaning helps learners communicate their objectives clearly in everyday conversations, work, or writing. This phrase is versatile and can be used in formal and informal contexts. Whether you want to talk about personal goals or professional targets, “aim to do sth” is a useful expression to describe your intentions.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: aim to do something
- Type: Inseparable
- Level: B1 (Intermediate)
- Short meaning: To intend or plan to do something
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Aim to do sth” is an inseparable phrase, meaning you cannot separate “aim” and “to do” with other words. The structure is:
- Subject + aim(s) + to + base verb + object (optional)
Examples of patterns:
- I aim to improve my English.
- They aim to finish the project on time.
- She aims to become a doctor.
How to Use Aim to do sth?
Use “aim to do sth” when you want to express a clear intention or goal. It is often followed by the base form of a verb (infinitive without “to”). The phrase is suitable for both spoken and written English and can describe future plans or ambitions.
It is useful in formal settings like business or education, as well as casual conversations about personal goals. For example, you might say, “We aim to increase sales this quarter” or “I aim to learn a new language.”
Examples
- Our company aims to reduce waste by 50% next year.
- She aims to pass the exam with high marks.
- They aim to launch the new product in June.
- I aim to visit Japan next summer.
- He aims to improve his cooking skills.
Here is “aim to do sth” in a sentence: They aim to complete the training by December.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: I aim doing better in the test.
Correct: I aim to do better in the test. - Incorrect: She aims do start early.
Correct: She aims to start early.
Remember, always use “aim” + “to” + base verb (infinitive) for correct grammar.
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrases include “plan to do sth,” “intend to do sth,” and “hope to do sth.” However, there are subtle differences:
- Aim to do sth: Strong intention or goal, often with effort.
- Plan to do sth: A detailed decision about what you will do.
- Intend to do sth: A personal decision or purpose.
- Hope to do sth: Desire or wish, less certain than aim.
For example, “I aim to finish work early” suggests a firm goal, while “I hope to finish work early” shows a wish.
Common Collocations
- Aim to improve
- Aim to achieve
- Aim to reduce
- Aim to increase
- Aim to develop
- Aim to finish
- Aim to start
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of aim to do sth:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: What do you want to do after graduation?
Ben: I aim to work in marketing for a big company.
Anna: That sounds great! Do you have a plan?
Ben: Yes, I aim to gain experience through internships first.
Anna: Good luck! I hope you achieve your goal.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “aim to do”:
- She _______ (aim) to learn French before her trip.
- We _______ (aim) to finish the project by Friday.
- They _______ (aim) to increase sales this year.
- I _______ (aim) to improve my writing skills.
FAQs
- What does “aim to do sth” mean?
It means to have a goal or intention to do something. - Is “aim to do sth” formal or informal?
It can be used in both formal and informal situations. - Can “aim to do sth” be used in the past tense?
Yes, for example, “They aimed to finish early.” - What verb form follows “aim to”?
The base form of the verb (infinitive without “to”). - Is “aim to do sth” separable?
No, it is an inseparable phrase.