In 15 Seconds
- Used to state clear, professional goals.
- Followed by a simple base verb.
- Perfect for business meetings and proposals.
- Signals alignment and strategic planning.
Meaning
This phrase is a powerful way to signal that you are moving from abstract ideas to a concrete, structured plan. It carries a vibe of professional authority and collective focus, making it clear that the entire team is aligned toward a specific result. When you use it, you sound like someone who has a vision and the discipline to execute it.
Key Examples
3 of 10Pitching a startup idea to investors
Our objective is to revolutionize how people access clean water in rural areas.
Our objective is to revolutionize how people access clean water in rural areas.
Setting expectations in a team meeting
Our objective is to complete the website migration without any downtime.
Our objective is to complete the website migration without any downtime.
Writing a professional LinkedIn bio
Our objective is to empower small business owners through digital marketing education.
Our objective is to empower small business owners through digital marketing education.
Cultural Background
American business culture is highly 'goal-oriented.' Using 'Our objective is to' is seen as a sign of a strong, decisive leader who is focused on the 'bottom line.' In Japan, the 'Our' (Watashitachi) is often implied. While 'mokuteki' (objective) is used, the focus is often on the process and the harmony of the team as much as the final target. German professional culture values precision. When using 'Unser Ziel ist es...', the objective is expected to be very specific and measurable (SMART). Brazilian business culture is becoming increasingly formalized. 'Nosso objetivo é...' is common in large corporations, though interpersonal relationships remain very important alongside these goals.
Be Specific
The best objectives are 'SMART': Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Don't Overuse
If you use this phrase for everything, you will sound like a corporate robot. Save it for important goals.
In 15 Seconds
- Used to state clear, professional goals.
- Followed by a simple base verb.
- Perfect for business meetings and proposals.
- Signals alignment and strategic planning.
What It Means
You've finally landed that high-stakes meeting with a potential investor, and the air in the room is thick with anticipation. Instead of saying we want to, you drop the phrase Our objective is to. Suddenly, the mood shifts. You don't just 'want' something; you have an objective. This phrase is the secret sauce of professional English, turning a simple desire into a strategic mission.
What It Means
At its core, Our objective is to is a way to state a goal with maximum clarity and formality. The word objective comes from the idea of an 'object' or a target that you are aiming at. It implies that there is a specific, measurable result you are chasing. Unlike the word goal, which can feel a bit personal or fuzzy, an objective sounds like it has been calculated, debated, and finalized in a boardroom. It’s the difference between saying 'I want to get fit' and 'My objective is to reduce body fat by 5% in three months.' One is a wish; the other is a plan. Using our instead of my also adds a layer of teamwork, suggesting that everyone is on the same page. It’s like a captain speaking for their entire crew.
How To Use It
Grammatically, this phrase is a dream because it follows a very simple pattern: Our objective is to + [base verb]. You don't need to worry about complex conjugations or gerunds here. For example: Our objective is to expand or Our objective is to improve. You can also add a bit of flavor by including adverbs like primary or ultimate. Saying Our primary objective is to tells your listener exactly what should be their number one priority. Just remember to keep the verb in its simplest form. If you start adding -ing endings, you’ll sound like a malfunctioning AI, and we definitely want to avoid that! Think of it as a straight line from the word to to the action you want to take.
Formality & Register
This is a heavyweight in the world of formal English. You’ll find it in annual reports, mission statements, and high-level strategy meetings. It sits comfortably in the 'Formal' to 'Very Formal' range. You wouldn't use this while grabbing a beer with friends unless you're making a joke about your 'objective' being to finish the fries before they get cold. In a job interview on Zoom or a LinkedIn post about your new startup, however, it’s absolute gold. It shows that you understand the language of business and that you're ready to play in the big leagues. It’s polished, professional, and slightly cold—but in a way that inspires confidence rather than distance.
Real-Life Examples
Imagine scrolling through a company's 'About Us' page. You’ll likely see something like: Our objective is to provide sustainable energy solutions for every household. It sounds grand, doesn't it? Or think about a project manager sending a Slack update: Team, our objective is to finish the beta testing by Friday. This gives the team a clear target to hit. Even in travel vlogging, a creator might say, Our objective is to visit five hidden gems in Kyoto without using a map. It adds a sense of challenge and structure to the video. It’s all about setting the stage and telling the world exactly what you are trying to achieve.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you need to sound decisive and organized. It’s perfect for the opening of a presentation where you want to outline what the audience will learn. It’s also great for written communication like emails to clients or formal proposals. If you're leading a team and sense that people are confused about their roles, using this phrase can pull everyone back together. It’s the 'north star' of a conversation—the point that everyone should be looking toward. If you're writing a bio for a professional networking site, it’s a great way to summarize your career mission without sounding too 'dreamy.'
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in casual, intimate, or highly emotional settings. If you’re on a first date and say, Our objective is to determine if we are compatible by the end of this appetizer, you probably won’t get a second date. It's too robotic for personal relationships. Also, don't use it for very small, trivial tasks. Saying Our objective is to find a parking spot makes a simple errand sound like a military operation. It’s a 'big' phrase, so save it for 'big' goals. Using it for everything makes you sound like you’ve spent too much time reading corporate handbooks and not enough time talking to real humans.
Common Mistakes
A very common slip-up is saying Our objective is for... followed by a person. While not grammatically 'illegal,' it's much weaker than the standard form. Another mistake is mixing up objective and object. Our object is to... is technically correct but feels like it’s from a 19th-century novel. Stick to objective to stay modern. Also, watch out for the plural! If you have more than one goal, you must say Our objectives are to... and then list them. Mixing singular and plural is a quick way to lose that 'expert' vibe you've worked so hard to build. And please, don't say Our objective is to try and...—just say to [verb]. Be bold!
Common Variations
If you find yourself saying Our objective is to five times in one meeting, you might want to switch it up. Our aim is to is a slightly softer, more British-leaning alternative. Our goal is to is the most common synonym; it’s a bit less formal but still very professional. If you want to sound even more high-level, try Our mission is to. This implies a long-term, almost spiritual commitment to a cause. For something more immediate, you could use We intend to or We are looking to. The latter is very popular in modern tech circles and sounds a bit more collaborative and less like a command from the top.
Real Conversations
CEO
Our objective is to increase user retention by 20% this quarter.Manager
Understood. Should we focus on the mobile app or the desktop version first?CEO
Our primary objective is to fix the mobile onboarding process.Project Lead: Welcome to the kickoff meeting. Our objective is to define the project scope.
Designer
I’ve already drafted some initial wireframes for us to review.Project Lead: Perfect, let's ensure they align with our objective of simplicity.
Quick FAQ
Is it better than We want to? Yes, in professional settings. Want is about desire; objective is about planning. Is it too formal for an email? Not if the email is to a client or a boss. It shows respect and clarity. Can I use it in a text? Only if you're being funny or if it's a very formal work-related WhatsApp group. Otherwise, it’s a bit much. Should I use it in the singular or plural? Use objective for one main thing and objectives if you have a list of several targets.
Usage Notes
Use this phrase in formal writing and presentations to show strategic thinking. Avoid using it in casual social settings to prevent sounding like a robot. Always follow it with a base verb for correct grammar.
Be Specific
The best objectives are 'SMART': Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Don't Overuse
If you use this phrase for everything, you will sound like a corporate robot. Save it for important goals.
The 'We' Factor
Using 'Our' instead of 'My' builds team spirit and shared responsibility.
Examples
10Our objective is to revolutionize how people access clean water in rural areas.
Our objective is to revolutionize how people access clean water in rural areas.
Sets a high-level, inspiring vision for a business.
Our objective is to complete the website migration without any downtime.
Our objective is to complete the website migration without any downtime.
Provides a clear, technical target for the team.
Our objective is to empower small business owners through digital marketing education.
Our objective is to empower small business owners through digital marketing education.
Sounds organized and mission-driven for a public profile.
Okay guys, our objective is to see the sunrise at the peak, so we need to leave by 4 AM.
Okay guys, our objective is to see the sunrise at the peak, so we need to leave by 4 AM.
Uses formal language in a casual setting for a bit of mock-seriousness.
Our objective is to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in our city.
Our objective is to ensure that no child goes to bed hungry in our city.
Carries significant emotional weight and commitment.
Our objective is to find a table with a power outlet before my laptop dies.
Our objective is to find a table with a power outlet before my laptop dies.
A humorous way to treat a small task like a major mission.
Our objective is to reduce your customer support response time by 50%.
Our objective is to reduce your customer support response time by 50%.
Uses specific data to make the objective feel measurable.
✗ Our objective is for improving sales → ✓ Our objective is to improve sales.
✗ Our objective is for improving sales → ✓ Our objective is to improve sales.
Always follow 'is to' with the base verb, not 'for' and an '-ing' verb.
✗ Our objective are to grow and expand → ✓ Our objectives are to grow and expand.
✗ Our objective are to grow and expand → ✓ Our objectives are to grow and expand.
If you have more than one goal, the word 'objective' must be plural.
Week 1 done! Our objective is to hit 10k steps every single day this month.
Week 1 done! Our objective is to hit 10k steps every single day this month.
Applies a professional phrase to a personal lifestyle goal.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
Our objective is ______ (increase) our market share by 5%.
The phrase 'Our objective is' must be followed by the infinitive 'to + verb'.
Which situation is the most appropriate for using 'Our objective is to...'?
Choose the best context:
This phrase is formal and professional, making it perfect for business communication.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: 'We have a lot of ideas, but what are we actually doing?' B: 'Well, ______ find a new supplier by Friday.'
This phrase is the most professional and clear way to define a specific target in a business context.
Match the objective to the correct professional role.
1. 'Our objective is to reduce patient wait times.' 2. 'Our objective is to improve code efficiency.' 3. 'Our objective is to increase student engagement.'
Wait times relate to healthcare, code efficiency to software, and engagement to education.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesOur objective is ______ (increase) our market share by 5%.
The phrase 'Our objective is' must be followed by the infinitive 'to + verb'.
Choose the best context:
This phrase is formal and professional, making it perfect for business communication.
A: 'We have a lot of ideas, but what are we actually doing?' B: 'Well, ______ find a new supplier by Friday.'
This phrase is the most professional and clear way to define a specific target in a business context.
1. 'Our objective is to reduce patient wait times.' 2. 'Our objective is to improve code efficiency.' 3. 'Our objective is to increase student engagement.'
Wait times relate to healthcare, code efficiency to software, and engagement to education.
🎉 Score: /4
Video Tutorials
Find video tutorials on YouTube for this phrase.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is more formal. Use 'objective' in high-stakes meetings and 'goal' in more casual team settings.
No, that is incorrect. You must use the infinitive: 'Our objective is to win.'
The plural is 'Our objectives are to [Action A] and to [Action B].'
Yes, it is very common in professional emails to clarify the purpose of a project.
Yes, but 'target' is often used for numbers (like sales targets), while 'objective' is used for broader actions.
Absolutely. It makes you sound organized and results-oriented.
Yes, though British speakers might use 'Our aim is to' slightly more often.
Yes, but say 'My objective is to...' and keep it for professional or serious personal goals.
No, startups use it all the time to define their 'North Star' metrics.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'distractions' or 'obstacles' are things that get in the way of an objective.
Related Phrases
Our goal is to
synonymA slightly less formal way to state a target.
Our aim is to
similarA common British English alternative.
Our mission is to
builds onA long-term, high-level purpose.
Our mandate is to
specialized formA goal given by a higher authority.
We're looking to
similarAn informal way to state an intention.