a narrower focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a narrower focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a specific area of concentration or attention that is more limited compared to a broader perspective. Example: "In order to achieve better results, we need to adopt a narrower focus on our target audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A narrower focus might have helped.

The New York Times

As for the menu, a narrower focus would have helped.

The New Yorker

For college admission officers, social networking may have a narrower focus.

Princeton University

His new book has a narrower focus: the causes and consequences of what participants labeled "the League fight".

The New York Times - Books

"I certainly think," he replies, "that as things stand at present, the party has adopted a narrower focus".

The Guardian

It's a narrower focus but crosses more boundaries". They'll be back next month to see their daughter Sarina graduate.

Princeton University

But that was before those concerns became independent fields of study, leaving philosophy with a narrower focus.

The New York Times

For a start, the suggested mandate may be too broad: parliamentary procedures require investigative commissions to have a narrower focus.

The Economist

It's a narrower focus than old grunge, and in the long run it risks turning into a formula.

The New York Times - Arts

When we are stressed or feeling pain we tend to have a narrower focus – tunnel vision – so we zoom in on that pain.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The inspector general's report had a narrower focus than the special commission's, examining a handful of complaints involving security clearance at the laboratories.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "a narrower focus" with an explanation of the benefits or consequences of this shift. For example, 'Adopting "a narrower focus" allowed us to allocate resources more efficiently'.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the positive effects of "a narrower focus" without providing evidence or justification. Simply stating it's 'better' without explaining why can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a narrower focus" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes the act of concentrating on a more limited or specific area of attention. As shown in Ludwig, it’s often used to explain a shift in strategy or perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

20%

Science

24%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a narrower focus" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a shift towards a more specific area of attention or scope. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used across various domains like news, academia, and science, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "a more specific focus" or "a tighter focus" exist, each offers slight nuances in meaning. When using "a narrower focus", remember to clarify the initial broader scope and explain the benefits of this shift. Keep in mind that while focusing can boost efficiency, it's crucial to avoid exaggerating its positive impact without evidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a more specific focus

Replaces "narrower" with "more specific", emphasizing the detail rather than the reduced scope.

a tighter focus

Uses "tighter" to suggest a more controlled and concentrated area of attention.

a refined focus

Implies that the focus has been improved or sharpened for better clarity.

a more limited scope

Focuses on the restricted extent of the area being considered.

a concentrated effort

Highlights the intensity and direction of the applied resources.

a targeted approach

Suggests that the focus is deliberately aimed at a particular goal or area.

a specialized perspective

Indicates a focus honed for expertise in a particular subject.

a particular emphasis

Shifts the focus to a specific element or aspect being given prominence.

a selective attention

Highlights the act of choosing to focus on certain elements while disregarding others.

a streamlined agenda

Suggests efficiency by reducing the scope and optimizing the use of resources.

FAQs

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

You can use "a narrower focus" to indicate a shift in attention or scope towards something more specific. For example, "The study adopted "a narrower focus" on the effects of social media on teenagers".

What's the difference between "a narrower focus" and "a broader focus"?

"A narrower focus" implies concentrating on specific details or a limited area, while "a broader focus" involves considering a wider range of factors or a more general perspective.

What can I say instead of "a narrower focus"?

Alternatives include "a more specific focus", "a tighter focus", or "a refined focus" depending on the context.

Is it always better to have "a narrower focus"?

Not necessarily. Whether "a narrower focus" is beneficial depends on the situation. It can lead to greater efficiency and expertise, but it can also cause you to miss important information outside that scope. Consider the benefits and costs of a specific approach before using "a narrower focus".