a wider focus

USAGE SUMMARY

'a wider focus' is a perfectly acceptable phrase in formal and informal written English.
For example: This debate needs to take a wider focus, and consider the economic implications of the proposed policy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Europeanists will prefer a wider focus.

The Guardian - Books

After 1990 the project expanded its research to accommodate a wider focus.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That shift to a wider focus, brought about by women searching Web sites, ought to tell designers a great deal.

The New York Times

But the health care debate needs a wider focus to also address the plight of the underinsured.

The New York Times

But you can also choose to take a wider focus by demanding industry-level change from big polluters and advocating bold shifts in government policy.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The International Herald Tribune, which uses stories from its two owners as well as staff reports, has the advantage of having a wider focus than its competitors, which are primarily business publications, Mr. Ignatius said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

If the show has a flaw, it is that the selection of works moves between a tight and a wide focus on the theme, making it hard to see how it all hangs together.

The New York Times

Our study, consequentially, will be ongoing with a wide focus, but provisional and responsive to what emerges as significant over time.

Globalization and Health

Specifically, 60/105 neurons were best fit with a narrow focus of attention model, 32/105 were best fit with a variable focus of attention model and 13/105 neurons were best fit with a wide focus of attention model.

European Journal of Neuroscience

The findings highlight the need to maintain a wide focus not restricted to specific diagnoses both in clinical research and practice for patients with a variety of somatic and psychiatric illness.

BMC Gastroenterology

However, it might be assumed that the animals would alter their focus of attention depending on the stimulus condition, whereby they use a wide focus of attention when centre only stimuli were presented, while they use a narrow focus of attention when centre and surround stimuli were present.

European Journal of Neuroscience

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for "a wider focus", clearly articulate the specific areas or aspects that should be included in the expanded scope. This provides clarity and strengthens your argument.

Common error

Avoid simply stating the need for "a wider focus" without specifying what that entails. Vague recommendations are less actionable and can lead to misinterpretations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a wider focus" typically functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or the subject of a clause. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it indicates a broadening of attention or scope in a particular area.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

34%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a wider focus" is a commonly used phrase that advocates for a more comprehensive approach to a subject or problem. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in news, science, and business. While versatile, it's essential to define the scope of the "wider focus" to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "a broader perspective" or "an expanded scope", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The phrase maintains a neutral to professional register and is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a broader perspective

Focus is replaced with perspective; wider is replaced with broader. This emphasizes the viewpoint rather than the act of focusing.

an expanded scope

Focus is replaced with scope; wider is replaced with expanded. This highlights the range or extent of consideration.

a more comprehensive view

Focus is replaced with view; wider is replaced with comprehensive. It suggests a thorough and complete understanding.

a broadened outlook

Focus is replaced with outlook; wider is replaced with broadened. It emphasizes a change in mindset or perspective.

a more inclusive approach

Changes the meaning towards encompassing more elements or factors.

a panoramic perspective

Replaces the incremental change of "wider" with a perspective that views everything at once.

a global view

Implying consideration of the entire world or a very large system.

a holistic perspective

Emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of elements.

an all-encompassing focus

Implies that the focus covers every possible aspect or element.

a comprehensive understanding

Shifts the focus from breadth to the completeness of knowledge.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a wider focus" in a research paper?

In research, "a wider focus" often means considering interdisciplinary perspectives or incorporating a broader range of data. For example, instead of just analyzing economic data, "a wider focus" might involve analyzing social and environmental factors as well.

What's a situation where "a wider focus" is crucial?

When addressing complex problems, such as climate change, "a wider focus" is crucial. This involves considering not only the scientific aspects but also the economic, social and political dimensions of the issue.

Is there a difference between "a broader perspective" and "a wider focus"?

While both phrases relate to expanding one's view, "a wider focus" suggests broadening the range of things you are paying attention to, while "a broader perspective" implies a more encompassing way of understanding those things.

What are some synonyms for "a wider focus" that still maintain a formal tone?

Alternatives like "a more comprehensive view" or "an expanded scope" can be used in formal writing to convey the need for a broader consideration of a subject.