a shift in focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"a shift in focus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a change in a person's, group's, or organization's concentration from one thing to another. For example, "After the new policy was introduced, the company experienced a shift in focus from short-term profits to long-term sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But the most noticeable change to "Million Dollar Listing" seems to be a shift in focus.

The New York Times

Obama's arrival offered a shift in focus and style but not in direction or substance.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's an element of simply a shift in focus behind this.

The Guardian - Business

While Yahoo's new features do not necessarily represent a shift in focus, Match.com's revamped site does.

The New York Times

That has brought a shift in focus to three other areas.

The Economist

Reducing customer effort doesn't require a 180-degree turn, but a shift in focus.

Harvard Business Review

A shift in focus has occurred from 'end-of-pipe' to prevention and process integration.

Chemical Engineering Research and Design

Monitoring efforts will also experience a shift in focus to more water-soluble compounds.

Journal of Chromatography A

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

It requires a shift in focus.

Huffington Post

This has led to a shift in focus from established disease to early identification and treatment.

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

In any case, it's not too much of a surprise to hear about a shift in focus.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a shift in focus", clearly state what the focus is shifting from and to for better clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a shift in focus" without clearly specifying what the subject is. For example, instead of saying "There was a shift in focus", say "The company experienced a shift in focus from marketing to product development."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a shift in focus" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a change or alteration in attention or emphasis, as evidenced by examples in Ludwig and confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

36%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a shift in focus" is a versatile phrase used to describe a change in attention, emphasis, or priority. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts, ranging from news and media to science and business. The phrase enjoys very common usage, particularly in News & Media and Science. When using this phrase, ensure that you clearly specify what the focus is shifting from and to, to maintain clarity. Be aware that vague pronoun usage is a common pitfall. For alternative phrasing, consider options like ""a change in focus"", "a redirection of attention", or "a change in priorities" to fine-tune the nuance of your message. The phrase's widespread presence in authoritative sources underscores its reliability and acceptance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a change in focus

Uses "change" instead of "shift", suggesting a more general alteration.

a change of focus

Employs a prepositional phrase with "of", slightly altering the grammatical structure while maintaining similar meaning.

a redirection of attention

Replaces "focus" with "attention" and uses "redirection" to emphasize the act of changing direction.

a change in priorities

Specifies that the shift is in what is considered important.

a different emphasis

Focuses on the change in what is highlighted or stressed.

a new direction

Indicates a change in the course or path being followed.

a revised approach

Suggests a change in the method or strategy used.

a turn in perspective

Emphasizes a change in the viewpoint or outlook.

a move towards

Highlights movement or progress in a new direction or aspect.

an alteration of course

Implies a deliberate adjustment of the planned route or strategy.

FAQs

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

You can use "a shift in focus" to describe a change in attention, emphasis, or priority. For example, "The new management brought "a change in focus" from sales to customer satisfaction".

What's the difference between "a shift in focus" and "a change in focus"?

While both phrases are similar, "a shift in focus" suggests a gradual or subtle alteration, whereas ""a change in focus"" might imply a more abrupt or distinct transformation.

What are some synonyms for "a shift in focus"?

Synonyms for "a shift in focus" include "a redirection of attention", "a change in priorities", or "a new direction", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a shift in focus" formal or informal?

"A shift in focus" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, academic papers, and business reports.