central focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"central focus" is an accurate and perfectly acceptable phrase to use in written English.
It is usually used to refer to the primary idea or topic of a text or conversation, and it can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "Developing a strong budget was the central focus of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Our central focus is traditional public schools".

The New York Times

The campaign began with the war as its central focus.

The New York Times

"But Pathfinder never became the central focus of the company".

The New York Times

It was also the central focus of her emotional life.

The Guardian

They don't have a central focus, an altar.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Resolving those inconsistencies will be a central focus going forward".

The New York Times

Privacy has always been a central focus for Facebook.

The Guardian - Opinion

But skill should not be the central focus.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama insisted that was his central focus.

The New York Times

"But my central focus will remain with cycling.

Independent

"There was not a central focus," Mr. Omar said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "central focus" to clearly communicate the main subject or purpose of a discussion, project, or analysis. This helps ensure clarity and prevents confusion among stakeholders.

Common error

Avoid using "central focus" without clearly explaining what the focus is. Ambiguity can undermine the phrase's effectiveness, so always specify the subject or goal that is the "central focus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "central focus" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically serves as a subject complement, directly object, or object of a preposition, identifying the most important element or subject under consideration. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "central focus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that pinpoints the most significant element of a subject. According to Ludwig AI, it serves to highlight and emphasize, ensuring clarity in communication across diverse registers. Its prevalence in news, scientific, and business sources underscores its versatility. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "main emphasis" or "primary concern". When using the phrase, make sure to provide context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. As confirmed by Ludwig, "central focus" is a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

main emphasis

Replaces "focus" with "emphasis", highlighting the primary importance.

primary concern

Shifts the perspective to highlight the foremost worry or interest.

key aspect

Replaces "focus" with "aspect", specifying a particularly important feature or element.

core element

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of the subject being focused on.

principal theme

Focuses on the overarching subject or message.

chief aim

Highlights the main goal or objective.

major thrust

Uses a more dynamic term to indicate the main driving force or direction.

crucial point

Highlights a critical idea or argument.

primary objective

Emphasizes the main goal to be achieved.

overriding priority

Highlights something more important than anything else.

FAQs

How can I use "central focus" in a sentence?

You can use "central focus" to highlight the most important aspect of a topic. For example, "The "central focus" of the meeting was budget allocation."

What are some alternatives to "central focus"?

Alternatives to "central focus" include "main emphasis", "primary concern", or "key aspect", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "the central focus was"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "the central focus was". This phrase is commonly used to introduce the main topic or objective.

What's the difference between "central focus" and "main objective"?

"Central focus" refers to the primary area of attention or interest, while "main objective" refers to the principal goal or aim to be achieved. They are related but not perfectly interchangeable.