Target,aim,object,goal,purpose~

Question

What is the differences between target,aim,object,goal and purpose ?

Goal means that something you hope to achieve ?

Purpose means that the thing that something is supposed to achieve ?
To little purpose and little to purpose both means that there is no useful effect to change something ?
E.g:
1.My suggestion seems to be little to purpose,because her mind is clearly made up.
2.His argument is to little purpose,because his dad has decided to take her to America for studying.

Thanks in advanced.

Doctor D · Accepted Answer

All these words have multiple meanings. However, they have similar meanings when used in the sense of "intention."

Here is one rough distinction. Purpose and aim are possessed by the person. Target, goal, and object are what he is seeking. You can see this in the underlying metaphor of a shooter. He aims his rifle at a target.
Also, a goal is usually more distant or more difficult than an object or target.

And purpose is more settled and determined than an aim.

I aim to win this round of poker.
My overall purpose is to be the best poker player possible.
My first object is to lose some weight.
My current target is to hike five miles today.
My final goal is to become an expert race car driver.

I hope this helps.

CalifJim · Answer

Franklin Ong1.My suggestion seems to be ~~little~~ to little purpose, because her mind is clearly made up.
2.His argument is to little purpose, because his dad has decided to take her to America ~~for studying.~~ to study.

As corrected.

Leave one space after a comma. Write "purpose, because", not "purpose,because".

CJ

CalifJim · Answer

Franklin Ongtarget, aim, object, goal and purpose

My [object / goal / aim] is to learn Spanish by June.

These all have to do with achieving a desired end point.

object is a little more formal. aim is a little more casual. goal is about in the middle. I think goal is more used than the other two.
________

A target is often expressed in terms of a measurement.

Our target is to reach $1,000,000 in sales this year.

object, goal, or aim may replace target here. target is perhaps more specific.

________

Your purpose is the reason why you do something. It is usually expressed grammatically by an infinitive construction that answers the question "Why?"

I walked to the corner to see if the bus was coming.
Why did you walk to the corner?
To see if the bus was coming.

Your purpose was to see if the bus was coming.

The man seemed to be walking from one side of the room to the other without any purpose.

He seemed to have no reason to walk like that. No one knew why he was doing that.

CJ

Franklin Ong · Answer

Doctor D Purpose and aim are possessed by the person. Target, goal, and object are what he is seeking.

Can you explain further about that,i cannot make out what is meant by Purpose and aim are possessed by the person. Target, goal, and object are what he is seeking.Thanks for your help kindly.

Doctor DAlso, a goal is usually more distant or more difficult than an object or target.
And purpose is more settled and determined than an aim.

That means goal is used in talking about an 'intention' that is more difficult to be achieved compared to object and target.

e.g:
1)My goal is to lose my weight from 200 kilogram to 40 kilogram.
2)My goal is to set up a world-famous fast food restaurant in one year.
The examples above are quite hard to reach that,so we use goal,right ?

3) My object/target is to save 500 dollar in one month.
4)My object/target is to lose my weight from 70 kilogram to 40 kilogram.

The examples above are quite easier to reach that,so we use object/target,right ?

Franklin Ong · Answer

CalifJimMy [object / goal / aim] is to learn Spanish by June.
These all have to do with achieving a desired end point.

I cannot understand what means have to do with achieving a desired end point a bit.I hope you can explain it further,thank you.

CalifJimobject is a little more formal. aim is a little more casual. goal is about in the middle. I think goal is more used than the other two.

Therefore,we usually use aim and goal in speaking.but object is normally used in writing essay or article.Am I correct ?

CalifJimA target is often expressed in terms of a measurement.
Our target is to reach $1,000,000 in sales this year.

Every intention that is related to money achievement,we usually use target only instead of aim,object,purpose and goal.Correct ?

CalifJimYour purpose is the reason why you do something. It is usually expressed grammatically by an infinitive construction that answers the question "Why?"

Purpose is generally not used to achieve something,but talking about why something does happen,what the reason to do it is.

e.g:
1)Why did she walk to the beside room ?
Her purpose to walk to the beside room was for having a chat with that handsome guy.

But we seldom/never say that my purpose is to set up a firm this year but is my object/aim and goal.Am I correct ?

Doctor D · Answer

There is no firm rule about the differences between goal and target/object. However, yes, goal is generally larger, more difficult, or more distant. In general, a target is simple, specific, and immediate.

Now about my statement about "possessed by" and "seeking." I was trying to show you that some of those words refer primarily to external objects and some to internal feelings. A target is something you shoot at; a goal is a net you drive your ball into. See where the metaphor comes from? However, your purpose or your aim is inside you or is guided by you.

I hope this makes my earlier remarks clearer.

Franklin Ong · Answer

Oh,I can understand what you meant by goal and target.Target means a quite simple intention that you hope it can be achieved soon like lost one's weight from 60kg to 40 kg in a short period.Correct ?

However,what is meant by specific in target,that means goal and other words I've list is not specific ?

Doctor D I was trying to show you that some of those words refer primarily to external objects and some to internal feelings. A target is something you shoot at; a goal is a net you drive your ball into. See where the metaphor comes from? However, your purpose or your aim is inside you or is guided by you.

Can you show me some example about some of those words refer primarily to external objects and some to internal feelings.Thanks.

My aim/object/target is to get straight A in this upcoming examination.Which word is suited for this sentence in formal English and spoken English ?

I consider that aim and target is nice for spoken English while object is nice for writing English.

Doctor D · Answer

The terms do overlap. However, you would be more likely to use a word like "target" when you have a number to go with it (that is what I mean by "specific.")

Our sales target is to increase sales from 20 cars a month to 30.

You can use "goal" in the same way and it is perfectly acceptable.

Our sales goal is to increase sales from 20 cars a month to 30.

However, writers tend to use "goal" when referring to a larger, less precise end.

Our goal is to become the best sales team in the city. (No numbers, no hard facts, nothing that can be measured).

Now, about external objects and internal feelings. I am using these terms loosely. I want to indicate the difference between tangible outside events and personal decisions.

The target of the sales team is to double their sales. (If you look at the sales report, you can see if they have doubled or not. So this is an external object).
The goal of the swimmer was to cross the English Canal. (If you watch him swim, you can see if he reaches the shores of France. So this is an external object.)
The guitar player's true object was to win the applause of his girlfriend. (If his girlfriend claps when he is done, you know if he was successful. So this is external, again.)

My purpose in coming here is to improve myself. (This is an internal feeling. No one looking at you can see what your purpose is.)
My aim in doing these exercises is to increase my command of English. (This is an internal feeling or decision. No one looking at you can see what your aim is.)
The same goes for words like "intent," "design," and "plan" (unless you use "design" or "plan" to indicate something that is written down). These are decisions you make. Internal.

Finally, your sentence" My aim/object/target is to get straight A in this upcoming examination.
Object or objective sounds more formal to me (either written or spoken). I would also like to suggest that you might be better off using a verb.
I hope/plan/am working to get a straight A on this upcoming examination.

That's all.

Alexander OJR · Answer

Okay,I think that I have known the basic distinction between the words,I thank a lot for your kindly reply.

I hope you can keep helping whomever needs some help in learning English.Thank you kindly again.

Alexander OJR · Answer

Doctor DThe goal of the swimmer was to cross the English Canal.

If I say that the aim/purpose of the swimmer was to cross the English Canal.Is it acceptable,what is the difference ?

Doctor DThe same goes for words like "intent," "design," and "plan" (unless you use "design" or "plan" to indicate something that is written down). These are decisions you make. Internal.

It means intent,design and plan are used in internal intention ?

Target,aim,object,goal,purpose~

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