a focus on

USAGE SUMMARY

"a focus on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone or something is concentrating on a particular thing. For example, "The company has placed a focus on customer satisfaction as its top priority."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A focus on outcomes.

Independent

A focus on death, dying.

The New Yorker

"There is a focus on comprehensive.

The New York Times

A focus on Schubert's songs?

The Guardian - Music

It's a focus on merchandising.

The New York Times

A focus on tackling "coasting schools".

The Guardian

Finally, a focus on security is needed.

The Guardian

A focus on the other team.

The New York Times - Sports

But it still requires a focus on something extra.

The New York Times

Such a move might ensure a focus on neglected issues.

Independent

The schedule for Saturday suggested a focus on legal issues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a focus on" to clearly signal the main area of attention or priority in your writing. This helps readers quickly understand the central theme or objective.

Common error

Avoid using "a focus on" when the intention is to discuss a broad overview rather than a specific area of concentration. In such cases, a general introduction or survey might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a focus on" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It introduces or emphasizes a specific area of attention, interest, or priority. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is common in written English. The examples from Ludwig showcase its role in directing attention to particular aspects of a subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a focus on" serves as a grammatically sound and frequently employed noun phrase to highlight a specific area of concentration. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely accepted in written English. Its utility spans various contexts, with the highest incidence found in news and media, science, and formal business communications. For alternative phrasing, consider "an emphasis on", "a concentration on", or "a spotlight on", depending on the intended nuance. When employing this phrase, ensure it aligns with the scope of your discussion, preventing an overly specific focus in broad overviews. The phrase's neutrality makes it suitable for professional and academic environments alike.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an emphasis on

Replaces "focus" with "emphasis", highlighting the importance given to something.

a concentration on

Substitutes "focus" with "concentration", suggesting a dedicated effort towards something.

a spotlight on

Uses "spotlight" instead of "focus", implying attention is directed towards something.

a centering on

Employs "centering" to indicate that something is at the core or heart of the matter.

a dedication to

Replaces the idea of a focus with the concept of being dedicated to something

an attention to

Uses "attention" instead of "focus", suggesting observation and awareness of something.

a priority of

Changes "focus" to "priority", indicating that something is treated as most important.

a commitment to

Replaces the idea of a focus with the concept of being commited to something

a leaning towards

Instead of focusing, it suggests a bias or preference.

a preoccupation with

Replaces "focus" with "preoccupation", implying that someone's thoughts are dominated by something.

FAQs

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

You can use "a focus on" to highlight the main subject or area of interest. For example, "The project has "a focus on" renewable energy sources".

What phrases are similar to "a focus on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "an emphasis on", "a concentration on", or "a spotlight on", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "focus on" or "a focus on"?

While both are grammatically correct, "a focus on" is often used when introducing the concept or when it's the subject of a sentence. "Focus on" is typically used as a verb phrase, such as "We should focus on quality".

How does "a focus on" differ from "focusing on"?

"A focus on" is a noun phrase that describes the area of concentration. "Focusing on" is a verb phrase that describes the act of concentrating. For example, "There is "a focus on" education," versus, "We are "focusing on" education improvements".