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Satkomuni Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
"aim" vs. "target"
Hi,
I often see sentences (written by non-natives) like this one: "The company targets to increase revenue thirty-fold by 2010."
Now, as a native speaker, I feel this should be changed to "...aims to increase..." but am having trouble coming up with an explanation as to the difference between the words "aim" and "target" when used as verbs.
Consider for example "Most billboard advertising targets motorists" versus "Most billboard advertising is aimed at motorists." To me, both of these sound natural, whereas "...advertising aims at motorists" sounds wrong (advertiser is the one doing the aiming, not the advert itself) and "...is targeted at motorists" sounds awkward.
If we return to my original sentence and consider "The company targets increasing revenue thirty-fold by 2010," it seems that according to usage in the past few years this may also be correct, though I don't particularly like it.
Might I solicit a few other opinions on the difference between these two verbs?
I often see sentences (written by non-natives) like this one: "The company targets to increase revenue thirty-fold by 2010."
Now, as a native speaker, I feel this should be changed to "...aims to increase..." but am having trouble coming up with an explanation as to the difference between the words "aim" and "target" when used as verbs.
Consider for example "Most billboard advertising targets motorists" versus "Most billboard advertising is aimed at motorists." To me, both of these sound natural, whereas "...advertising aims at motorists" sounds wrong (advertiser is the one doing the aiming, not the advert itself) and "...is targeted at motorists" sounds awkward.
If we return to my original sentence and consider "The company targets increasing revenue thirty-fold by 2010," it seems that according to usage in the past few years this may also be correct, though I don't particularly like it.
Might I solicit a few other opinions on the difference between these two verbs?
Top answer
e. e. e.
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- ) Does that help any?
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1 Answers
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Offhand, it seems to me that
aim to = intends to (i.e. aim to + infinitive verb)
be aimed at = be directed toward (i.e. be aimed at + prep object)
target = make a target of (i.e. target + d.o.)
Does that help any?
aim to = intends to (i.e. aim to + infinitive verb)
be aimed at = be directed toward (i.e. be aimed at + prep object)
target = make a target of (i.e. target + d.o.)
Does that help any?
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