bring into focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bring into focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate the act of clarifying or highlighting a particular issue or subject. Example: "The recent events have brought into focus the need for better communication within the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The county can be hard to bring into focus.

Independent

But she does bring into focus a marriage that still has the world talking.

The New York Times - Books

The manhattan also helped bring into focus the restaurant's rather blurry image.

The New York Times - Food

But Gordon does, I think, bring into focus the right way to live.

The Guardian - Opinion

"This march will bring into focus that we want," Perl said.

The Guardian

We are told that these objects "bring into focus the unfulfilled ideals of the 18th and 19th centuries".

The New York Times - Arts

Another public quarrel McLean and Nocera bring into focus is the esoteric debate about Federal Reserve monetary policy.

The New York Times - Books

Abdolah wished to bring into focus the "writer" of the Qur'an, a man who was a "dreamer" and "poet".

The Guardian - Books

These three prison scenes, well-modulated by the director, Kamilah Forbes, finally bring into focus Ms. Camblin's true thesis.

The New York Times

Stories such as Serena Williams' bring into focus what's happening to hundreds of women around the U.S.

Yale University

All this evidence helped bring into focus the problem we were trying to solve with our new design.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bring into focus", ensure that the subject being brought into focus is clearly identified. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands what is being highlighted.

Common error

Avoid using "bring into focus" when a simpler verb like "show" or "demonstrate" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bring into focus" functions as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it's often used to emphasize the act of clarifying or highlighting a particular issue or subject. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts to direct attention to specific details.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

25%

Science

27%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bring into focus" is a versatile verb phrase widely used to emphasize clarification or highlight specific details. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. It functions to direct attention to key aspects, promoting better understanding. While generally neutral in register, it can be used formally and informally. Alternatives include "highlight", "emphasize", and "clarify". The phrase is considered very common, reflecting its frequent appearance in various forms of writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight

Emphasizes making something more noticeable or prominent. It's a more direct synonym.

emphasize

Similar to highlight, it stresses the importance or significance of something.

draw attention to

Indicates directing focus towards a specific subject or issue.

shed light on

Implies revealing or clarifying something that was previously unclear.

clarify

Focuses on making something easier to understand.

underscore

Stresses the importance of something, often used in formal contexts.

bring to the forefront

Similar to draw attention to, but suggests moving something to a position of greater visibility.

spotlight

Highlights something in a dramatic way, often used in media contexts.

illuminate

Suggests making something clearer or more understandable through explanation or evidence.

give prominence to

Emphasizes the act of making something stand out or be more noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "bring into focus" in a sentence?

You can use "bring into focus" to highlight or clarify a specific issue. For example, "The new evidence "brings into focus" the need for further investigation."

What are some alternatives to "bring into focus"?

Alternatives include "highlight", "emphasize", or "clarify". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to use "bring into focus" or "focus on"?

"Bring into focus" implies clarifying something, while "focus on" simply means directing attention to it. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize clarification or just attention.

What's the difference between "bring into focus" and "shed light on"?

"Bring into focus" suggests clarifying something already known to some extent, whereas "shed light on" implies revealing something previously unknown or obscure.