concentrate

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "concentrate" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to convey that someone is paying close attention or focusing on something. Example sentence: "I asked her to concentrate on her studies and not get distracted."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I didn't concentrate.

The Guardian - Film

I couldn't concentrate.

The New York Times

From a family of lifelong Labour supporters, she emerged as a nationalist during last year's referendum campaign, giving up her job in the Pizza Mario chip shop to concentrate on politics.

The Guardian

Tired people are less productive and struggle to concentrate, and you no longer get to drink free coffee.

The Guardian

The risks, though, are considerable – not least because if The X Factor flops, then Fox may well drop the show and concentrate its efforts on Idol.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Now we need to concentrate on the software, getting rid of the sectarian virus and maintaining a cycle of non-violence.

The Guardian

While they specialise in placing doctors in the British Isles, other companies concentrate on Norway, Sweden or Germany.

The Guardian

Even as an avid reader who loves books and the beauty of fictional worlds, sometimes even I get bored and can't concentrate on the book I'm trying to get through.

The Guardian

This meant that wine growers simply had to change their way of thinking; they had to concentrate on quality rather than quantity of their grapes.

The Guardian

The fiddler has found herself with a ban that will rule her out of the next four seasons, leaving her free, perhaps mercifully, to concentrate on the Four Seasons.

The Guardian - Sport

In order to concentrate the listener's perception on the rhythm, melodic material – most of it pinched from a book of Lithuanian folk tunes – is extremely simple, sometimes reduced to tiny repetitive patterns of a mere two or three pitches.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concentrate", be specific about what you are focusing on. For example, "concentrate on the task at hand" is clearer than simply "concentrate".

Common error

Avoid using "concentrate" without a clear object or direction. Instead of saying "I need to concentrate", specify what you need to focus on: "I need to concentrate on finishing this report."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "concentrate" is a verb, indicating the action of focusing one's attention or efforts. Ludwig's examples show its use in various contexts, reflecting its versatility in conveying directed attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Business

10%

Books

5%

Music

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "concentrate" is a verb used to describe focusing one's attention or effort. As shown by Ludwig, it's a grammatically correct term that is very common in English writing, particularly in news and media, sport, and lifestyle contexts. It is often used to emphasize the importance of directing mental effort towards a specific goal. Ludwig AI highlights that, depending on the context, it can be used in different registers, from neutral to formal. When using "concentrate", ensure clarity by specifying what you are focusing on.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus one's attention

Emphasizes directing mental effort towards a specific point.

dedicate oneself to

Implies a strong commitment and investment of time and energy.

apply oneself to

Highlights the effort and diligence required for a task.

center one's efforts

Suggests organizing and coordinating actions towards a central goal.

direct one's energies

Focuses on channeling physical and mental resources.

give attention to

A more general phrase emphasizing the act of noticing and considering something.

pay heed to

Suggests careful consideration and obedience to instructions or advice.

immerse oneself in

Implies a deep and absorbing involvement in something.

obsess over

Suggests an excessive and often unhealthy preoccupation.

brood on

Implies dwelling on something negatively or with anxiety.

FAQs

How can I use "concentrate" in a sentence?

You can use "concentrate" in a sentence like: "I need to "focus my attention" to finish this project on time".

What are some alternatives to "concentrate"?

Some alternatives to "concentrate" include "focus", "dedicate", or "apply", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "concentrate on" or "concentrate in"?

The correct usage is "concentrate on". For example: "You should "concentrate on" your studies".

What's the difference between "concentrate" and "focus"?

"Concentrate" generally implies a sustained effort to direct one's thoughts or attention, while "focus" can refer to a more general act of directing attention. For instance, you might "concentrate on" studying for an exam, but simply "focus on" a speaker during a presentation.