Disproportionate focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Disproportionate focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or unbalanced emphasis on a particular subject or issue compared to others. Example: "The report showed a disproportionate focus on the financial aspects, neglecting the social implications of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"However, I.S.S.'s disproportionate focus on these issues is misguided and a disservice to our stockholders.

The New York Times

Second, there's the disproportionate focus on what's "extreme" about his specific position on the legal issue.

The New York Times

"ISS's disproportionate focus on News of the World is misguided," the report said.

The New York Times

The figures betray a sense of the country's disproportionate focus on the influx of migrants.

The Guardian

This sentiment has been expressed particularly by African leaders due to the disproportionate focus on their nations.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We cannot have a disproportionate focus on business travelers at the expense of leisure passengers," he added.

The New York Times

"We cannot have a disproportionate focus on business travelers at the expense of leisure passengers," he said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That the mayor showed up "sent a message" to grieving Dominican immigrants, some of whom, Mr. Pérez included, couldn't help noticing a "disproportionate" focus on Belle Harbor.

The New York Times

This is already in evidence with the disproportionate focus on a few Serb leaders, as if their capture and trial has somehow solved the problem – it has not.

The Guardian - Opinion

"My worry," she says, "is that a disproportionate focus on my backstory leads to an 'Ah-ha' moment that short-circuits the work.

The Guardian - Arts

With its current disproportionate focus on K-12 issues, the Regents have retained one mechanism that aligns secondary and postsecondary education: the Regents Exams.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionate focus", ensure you clearly articulate what the focus is disproportionate to. This adds clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate focus" without specifying what is being neglected as a result. Without this context, the phrase lacks impact and can be misinterpreted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionate focus" functions as a noun phrase, where "disproportionate" modifies the noun "focus". Ludwig AI confirms that the expression is correct and usable in written English, denoting an imbalanced emphasis on something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

30%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disproportionate focus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that indicates an imbalance in emphasis. As highlighted by Ludwig, it's commonly employed in News & Media, Science, and Academic contexts to critique or point out that an entity receives more attention than it warrants. When using this phrase, clarity is key; it's best practice to specify what is being neglected as a consequence. Alternatives include "undue emphasis" and "excessive attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Undue emphasis

Highlights the inappropriateness of the focus, suggesting it is not justified.

Excessive attention

Emphasizes the surplus of attention given to something, more than necessary.

Lopsided concentration

Implies an imbalance in the concentration, with one side receiving more attention.

Skewed emphasis

Suggests that the emphasis is not aligned correctly, leaning to one side.

Unbalanced attention

Focuses on the lack of equilibrium in the distribution of attention.

Overemphasis

Indicates too much weight or importance is being placed on something.

Disproportionate weight

Similar to "disproportionate focus" but uses the concept of weight to represent importance.

Selective attention

Highlights the act of choosing to focus on certain aspects while ignoring others.

Undue prominence

Suggests that something is given more importance than it deserves.

Overblown importance

Emphasizes the inflated sense of importance given to something.

FAQs

How can I use "disproportionate focus" in a sentence?

You can use "disproportionate focus" to describe a situation where too much attention is being given to one thing compared to others. For example: "There's a "disproportionate focus" on test scores in the curriculum, which neglects the development of critical thinking skills."

What are some alternatives to "disproportionate focus"?

Alternatives include "undue emphasis", "excessive attention", or "skewed emphasis" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "disproportionate focus on" or "disproportionate focus in"?

"Disproportionate focus on" is generally preferred because it directly connects the focus to the subject. "Disproportionate focus in" could be used, but it might sound less direct and require more context.

What's the difference between "disproportionate focus" and "unbalanced focus"?

"Disproportionate focus" implies that something is getting too much attention relative to its importance, while "unbalanced focus" simply means the focus is not evenly distributed. The former carries a stronger connotation of being unwarranted or unfair.