Focus on first

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Focus on first" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the initial task or element in a sequence. For example, "In this project, we need to focus on first the research phase before moving on to implementation." Alternative expressions include "Prioritize the first," "Concentrate on the first," and "Emphasize the first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

With so many great plans for growth, how do you know which ones to focus on first and which to put on the backburner?

The Guardian

Even if you have many goals you would like to tackle this year, if you can narrow it down to only one to focus on first, your chances of success will be much higher.

Forbes

Ever find that you have so many ideas you don't know which one to focus on first?

Huffington Post

The superstitions which cause trouble for you on a regular basis are the ones you should focus on first.

WikiHow

What should you focus on first?

Harvard Business Review

Even so, the focus on first jobs is misplaced.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

Over time, one convention emerged that helped reduce the challenge: the focus on first-time, full-time students.

Huffington Post

Currently, federal education statistics generally focus on first-time full-time students.

The New York Times

At present, the business model of biotech firms means that they focus on "first-world, technologically-sophisticated, fairly well capitalised farmers", said Cleary at The Nature Conservancy.

The Guardian

The Federal Housing Administration would continue to guarantee mortgages under the Hensarling proposal but would focus on first-time home buyers with moderate incomes.

The New York Times

Instead of spending more on renovating houses and trying to target the luxury market, Annington would focus on first-time buyers and public sector workers.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting multiple options or tasks, use "focus on first" to clearly indicate the initial point of concentration. This helps in setting priorities and managing expectations.

Common error

Ensure that when you use "focus on first", the subsequent steps or alternatives are clearly outlined or implied. Without context, the phrase may lack clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on first" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the initial point of attention or action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "focus on first" serves to emphasize the initial priority in a sequence of actions or options. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and versatile, fitting into various contexts, from news reporting to academic discussions. Although "focus on first" is not very common, its usage is appropriate when clarity and prioritization are needed. For increased impact, consider alternatives like "prioritize initially" or "begin with". When using this phrase, ensure the subsequent steps are either clearly defined or implied to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Initially concentrate on

Replaces "focus" with "concentrate" and adds "initially" for emphasis on the beginning.

Start with a focus on

Emphasizes starting with a specific area of focus.

Prioritize initially

Emphasizes the act of giving initial priority.

Start by focusing on

Adds emphasis by explicitly mentioning focusing on something as a start.

First and foremost

A common idiom that stresses the importance of the initial action.

Begin with

Highlights the starting point of an action.

Place emphasis on initially

Highlights the action of placing emphasis at the beginning.

Address first

Suggests dealing with something as a first action.

Give precedence to

Focuses on the act of prioritizing something before others.

Tackle foremost

Implies dealing with a task at the most important time.

FAQs

How can I use "focus on first" in a sentence?

You can use "focus on first" to emphasize the initial priority in a sequence of actions. For example, "We should "focus on first" establishing a solid foundation before expanding our efforts."

What are some alternatives to "focus on first"?

Alternatives include phrases like "prioritize initially", "begin with", or "start by focusing on" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "focus on first"?

While "first" inherently implies a priority, using ""focus on first"" can add emphasis, especially when multiple steps are involved. It clarifies the initial point of concentration.

When is it appropriate to use "focus on first" in writing?

Use ""focus on first"" when you want to guide the reader's attention to the most immediate and important task or aspect among several possibilities.