an obvious focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an obvious focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a clear or evident area of attention or concentration in a discussion or analysis. Example: "In the report, there is an obvious focus on the environmental impacts of the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Yet there was an obvious focus for it: the Silk Road itself.

The New York Times - Arts

An economic policy that combined deficit reduction with fairer taxes and a more active industrial policy to stimulate growth would be an obvious focus of agreement.

The Guardian

And after a year in which one of the single biggest events was the successful, if nerve-jangling, touchdown of the Mars Science Laboratory, aka Curiosity, on the surface of the red planet, Ó Briain said Mars was an obvious focus for this year's first episode.

The Guardian

His underwear campaigns have been a topic of public fascination since 1982, when he first introduced an image of Tom Hintnaus, an Olympic athlete, photographed on the Greek island of Santorini with an obvious focus on the bulge in his white briefs.

The New York Times

There is an obvious focus on social networking.

TechCrunch

Security is an obvious focus for Flutter's creators — being as you're transmitting potentially sensitive data over relatively large distances where it could be intercepted.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Overall, both the ion lens and ion funnel have an obvious focusing effect on ions going through the focus area.

Chemistry Central Journal

1, 2 Other indications are West syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, and recurrent episodes of status epilepticus or complex partial seizures with rapid secondary generalization without any obvious foci.

Epilepsia

Luton, a city blighted by industrial decline on the northern edge of London, is a less obvious focus for civic pride than York, London or even Bradford.

The Economist

A PPA has no obvious focus of infection, with the commonest pathogen being Staphylococcus aureus (SA).

Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials

E-commerce was an obvious first focus of Myanmar's tech wave, and local takes on Uber popped up in recent years as smartphones became more widely owned.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an obvious focus" to clearly signal to your audience the primary area of attention or concentration in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "an obvious focus" when the focus is not, in fact, universally agreed upon as obvious. Consider if the focus might be more apparent to you than to your audience, and adjust your language accordingly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an obvious focus" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or object of a preposition. It identifies a specific area of attention or emphasis that is easily recognizable. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is commonly used to highlight a particular theme or subject within a broader context.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an obvious focus" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to clearly indicate a main point of attention. As noted by Ludwig, its strength lies in signaling a readily apparent area of interest. Predominantly found in news, media and scientific contexts, it serves to guide the audience's understanding. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure that the focus is indeed obvious to the intended audience, avoiding potential ambiguity. If necessary, consider employing synonyms like "a clear emphasis" or "a focal point" for subtle variations in meaning. This analysis, supported by Ludwig's examples and insights, aims to provide a robust understanding of the phrase's usage and nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a focal point

Synonymous replacement with a slightly more technical feel.

a clear emphasis

Replaces "focus" with "emphasis", suggesting a strong point of concentration.

a distinct concentration

Emphasizes the clarity and separateness of the area of attention.

a prominent theme

Highlights the recurring nature of the central idea.

a central point

Indicates the core or main idea being discussed.

a key area

Identifies a significant region or subject of interest.

a salient feature

Emphasizes that the characteristic stands out and is relevant.

a primary concern

Indicates a major worry or subject needing attention.

the main thrust

Highlights the principal direction or force of an argument or effort.

a noticeable trend

Highlights a pattern that is easily observable.

FAQs

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

You can use "an obvious focus" to point out the main subject or area of attention in a discussion or analysis. For example, "In this research, there's "an obvious focus" on environmental sustainability".

What's a similar expression to "an obvious focus"?

Alternatives to "an obvious focus" include "a clear emphasis", "a central point", or "a focal point". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "obvious focus"?

While "focus" often implies clarity, using "obvious" can strengthen the emphasis on how clear the area of attention is. Context determines if the adjective adds value or is unnecessarily repetitive. It isn't necessarily redundant. See the Ludwig AI's explanation above for more details.

When is it better to use "main focus" instead of "an obvious focus"?

"Main focus" is suitable when simply stating the primary subject. "An obvious focus" is more appropriate when you want to highlight that the area of attention is particularly clear or easily discernible. It emphasizes clarity, as Ludwig AI explains.