aim

/eɪm/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈem] /eɪm/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈem] /ˈām/ (ame, mw)

aim — verb

  • aimpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • aimshe / she / it
  • aimedpast simple
  • aiming-ing form

1. to plan or hope to reach a goal, often by setting it as the target you are worki

1.動詞不及物B1
釋義

to plan or hope to reach a goal, often by setting it as the target you are working towards.

例句

Vikram aims to finish writing his novel before the baby is born in May.

aim + to-infinitive for personal goals

The bakery aims for a hundred fresh loaves out of the oven by six every morning.

aim for + noun (concrete target)

同義詞
  • intend

    more neutral; states a plan without the effort to reach it

  • plan

    broader; includes the steps, not only the goal

  • aspire

    formal; suggests a long-term, often hard-to-reach ambition

文法句型

aim to + infinitive

aim for + noun

用法筆記

Frequently followed by to + infinitive (personal or organisational goals) or for + noun (a concrete target). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense never involves physical pointing.

常見錯誤

❌I am aiming becoming a doctor.
✅I am aiming to become a doctor.
💡the verb after 'aim' needs the full to-infinitive, never the -ing form.
❌She aims at finish the marathon.
✅She aims to finish the marathon.
💡use 'aim to + base verb', not 'aim at + base verb'.

2. to turn a gun, arrow, camera, or similar object so its line points exactly at wh

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to turn a gun, arrow, camera, or similar object so its line points exactly at whatever needs to be hit, photographed, or struck.

例句

Reuben aimed the rifle carefully and waited for the deer to step into the clearing.

aim + object + (at understood); literal weapon use

The photographer aimed her long lens at the swans gliding across the lake.

aim + object + at (non-weapon: camera)

同義詞
  • point

    more general; can describe any direction-showing, not only weapons

  • direct

    formal; works for both physical objects and abstract things like attention

  • train

    literary; suggests a steady, locked-on focus, especially of a weapon or camera

文法句型

aim something at someone/something

aim at + noun

用法筆記

The thing being pointed (gun, camera, kick) is the object; the target follows 'at'. Distinguish from sense 1: a physical or quasi-physical object always moves or is directed in space here.

常見錯誤

❌He aimed to the deer with his rifle.
✅He aimed his rifle at the deer.
💡use 'at', not 'to', for the target.

3. to make or say something so that one particular group of people is the one it is

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

to make or say something so that one particular group of people is the one it is meant for or meant to affect.

例句

The new cartoon series is aimed at children aged six to ten and their parents.

passive: be aimed at + target audience

Tamar's speech was aimed at parents who feel their teenagers no longer listen to them.

passive: be aimed at + audience type

同義詞
  • target

    more direct; common in marketing contexts

  • direct at

    formal; works for both remarks and products

  • pitch at

    informal; often used of a product or message tuned to a specific level

文法句型

be aimed at + group

aim something at someone

用法筆記

Most commonly passive (be aimed at). Subject is typically a product, message, programme, or remark; the object of 'at' is the target audience or person on the receiving end. Distinguishes from sense 2: nothing physical moves — the 'targeting' is about intended audience or recipient.

常見錯誤

❌The book aims for teenagers.
✅The book is aimed at teenagers.
💡for audience-targeting, use the passive with 'at', not 'aim for'.

aim — noun