are focusing on

USAGE SUMMARY

"are focusing on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone or something is putting all of their attention or effort towards a particular task or topic. Example: The team members are focusing on completing the project before the deadline. In this sentence, "are focusing on" shows that the team members are actively working and directing their attention towards completing the project.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They are focusing on the poor one," Ricci Bitti said.

The New York Times - Sports

Defenses are focusing on him.

The New York Times - Sports

"We are focusing on price-competitive quality.

Independent

Some prebuilds are focusing on sustainability, too.

The New York Times

Instead, studios are focusing on core relationships.

The New York Times

"We are focusing on that".

The Guardian - Tech

They are focusing on the right things.

The New York Times - Sports

Now we are focusing on care cycles.

The New York Times

Many bitcoin startups are focusing on security.

The Guardian - Tech

They are focusing on police procedures.

The Guardian

And here we are focusing on this?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are focusing on" to clearly indicate the primary subject or task receiving attention. For example, "The researchers are focusing on identifying the root cause of the disease."

Common error

Avoid using "focusing on" without the necessary auxiliary verb ("are", "is", "was", "were"). For example, instead of writing "They focusing on the details", write "They are focusing on the details".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are focusing on" functions as a present continuous verb phrase. It describes an ongoing action of directing attention or effort towards a specific object or goal. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

13%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are focusing on" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that effectively conveys the direction of attention or effort towards a specific goal or subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely applicable across various contexts. It is particularly common in news, academic, and scientific writing. When using this phrase, ensure that it is paired with a proper auxiliary verb and consider alternative expressions such as "are concentrating on" or "are prioritizing" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are concentrating on

This alternative uses "concentrating" which is a direct synonym for "focusing", offering a very similar meaning with a slight variation in word choice.

are prioritizing

This alternative highlights the act of giving precedence to something, implying a choice of focus among multiple options.

are targeting

This alternative suggests a specific aim or objective, implying a strategic focus.

are emphasizing

This alternative means to give special importance or prominence to something, suggesting a focus on highlighting particular aspects.

are highlighting

This alternative suggests bringing attention to something, implying that the focus is on making something more visible or noticeable.

are addressing

This alternative implies dealing with or tackling an issue, suggesting a focus on resolving a problem or challenge.

are working on

This alternative is more general and suggests effort being put into something, though it doesn't necessarily imply the same level of concentrated attention.

are dealing with

This alternative focuses on managing or handling a particular issue or situation, suggesting a focus on problem-solving.

are occupied with

This alternative focuses on the state of being busy or engaged with something, suggesting a focus on time and resources being dedicated to a particular activity.

are absorbed in

This alternative indicates a deep level of engagement and immersion in something, suggesting a focus on complete attentiveness.

FAQs

How to use "are focusing on" in a sentence?

The phrase "are focusing on" indicates where attention or effort is being directed. For example, "The team members "are concentrating on" the most critical tasks this week".

What can I say instead of "are focusing on"?

You can use alternatives like ""are concentrating on"", "are prioritizing", or "are targeting" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are focusing on" or "are focused on"?

"Are focusing on" indicates a continuous action of directing attention, while "are focused on" suggests a state of being directed. Use "are focusing on" when you want to emphasize the active process. For example, "They are targeting new markets" means they are actively working on it. Instead "They are focused on the new markets" shows that their attention is already on the new markets.

What's the difference between "are focusing on" and "are dealing with"?

"Are focusing on" implies a deliberate direction of attention or effort towards a specific goal or subject. "Are dealing with" suggests managing or handling a particular issue or situation. Therefore, the change in focus is about the nuance you need: directing attention to something (focusing) vs managing a situation (dealing with).