an initial focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an initial focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the primary area of attention or concentration at the beginning of a project or discussion. Example: "Our initial focus will be on improving customer satisfaction before expanding our services."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To facilitate improved integration of and access to exposure information, we initiated development of an exposure ontology with an initial focus on human exposure to chemicals.

Environmental Science & Technology

Vertex is expected to start a public awareness campaign, with New York City being an initial focus.

The New York Times

He also kept open the possibility that a North Korean submarine might have launched a torpedo, an initial focus of suspicion.

The New York Times

Some scientists criticized aspects of the new study, but agreed that an initial focus on the other greenhouse gases could achieve significant slowing of climate warming, as long as carbon dioxide cuts were also made.

The New York Times

The £3bn ECO scheme, whose costs are passed on to consumer bills, saved only around 30% of the carbon emissions of previous programmes, partly because of an initial focus on "harder to treat" homes which cost more to make efficient.

The Guardian

Similarly, an initial focus on supply-side efforts to mobilise and place capital overlooked the critical need to actively develop the capacity of initiatives to absorb and use capital effectively.

The Guardian

Mr. Eskinazi is beginning to market the service's operations in the United States, with an initial focus on the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut area, as well as in Boston and Washington.

The New York Times

A1 Nominee's Critics Shift Focus Seeking to move beyond an initial focus on abortion rights, a coalition of liberal groups opposing the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. is preparing a national television advertising campaign accusing him of threatening rights in other areas, from police searches to employment discrimination.

The New York Times

EVAN OSNOS: Good question, and the answer, as far as I'm concerned, is clear: It's not sexy, but the US and China signed a memorandum of cooperation that laid out avenues for collaboration on capacity building in climate change, with an initial focus on helping China to develop transparent greenhouse gas emissions inventory.

The New Yorker

From an initial focus on this tiny scrap of suddenly desirable land, makers Hugo Berkeley and Osvalde Lewat gradually expanded their film into a wide-ranging and thorough and – as far as my socioeconomically and geopolitically relatively untutored mind and eye could tell - unbiased examination of the unfolding problem of who owns Africa.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

These questions led him from an initial focus on academic inquiries about the nature of knowledge (exemplified by his 1979 book, "Philosophy and the Mirror of Nature") to wider-ranging speculations about politics, morality and literature ("Contingency, Irony, and Solidarity") to polemical efforts at political history ("Achieving Our Country," 1998).

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When outlining a project, clearly state "an initial focus" to set expectations and define the scope of the first phase. This helps manage resources and track progress effectively.

Common error

Avoid treating "an initial focus" as the only focus. Communicate clearly when and how the focus will evolve or expand as the project progresses to prevent misunderstandings and maintain flexibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an initial focus" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject complement or object of a sentence. It describes the primary area of concentration or attention at the beginning of a project, study, or activity, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "an initial focus" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile term used to define the primary area of concentration at the outset of a project or endeavor. Ludwig's AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts. It's commonly found in news, scientific literature, and business communications, highlighting its wide applicability. When using "an initial focus", it's important to clearly communicate how this focus may evolve over time and not confuse it with long-term strategic objectives. Ludwig’s examples show that clarity and specificity will help set expectations and guide actions effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a primary emphasis

Changes the word "focus" to "emphasis", highlighting importance rather than direction.

an early emphasis

Replaces "initial" with "early", signifying the timing of the emphasis, without changing the subject.

a starting point

Replaces the entire phrase with a more general term indicating the commencement of an activity.

a preliminary concentration

Substitutes "initial" with "preliminary" and "focus" with "concentration", suggesting a preparatory stage of focused attention.

a key starting point

Adds "key" to emphasize the importance of the starting point.

a basic initial idea

Adds "idea" to the phrase, making it explicitly about a plan or concept.

the primary goal

Shifts the focus from the area of concentration to the intended outcome.

the opening strategy

Frames the focus as a strategic approach at the beginning.

a first step

Uses a more general term for the beginning of a process or action.

an introductory step

Replace "initial focus" with "introductory step", referring the beginning of the action.

FAQs

How can I use "an initial focus" in a sentence?

You can use "an initial focus" to describe the primary area of attention at the start of a project. For example, "The company's "an initial focus" was on market research."

What can I say instead of "an initial focus"?

You can use alternatives like "a primary emphasis", "an early emphasis", or "a starting point" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "initial starting point" instead of "an initial focus"?

Yes, using "initial starting point" is redundant. "Initial" and "starting point" convey similar meanings, so it's best to use ""an initial focus"" or simply "a starting point" for clarity.

What is the difference between "an initial focus" and "a long-term goal"?

"An initial focus" refers to the immediate area of concentration at the beginning of a project or endeavor. A "long-term goal" is the ultimate objective to be achieved over an extended period. The initial focus may contribute to achieving the long-term goal.