concentrate for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concentrate for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of focusing one's attention on a specific task or subject for a certain duration. Example: "I need to concentrate for the next hour to finish this report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We crave culture that makes us concentrate for long periods.

The Guardian

He can concentrate for much longer periods of time.

The New York Times - Health

Well, in fact, what we find is the mind can't concentrate for 20 minutes productively.

Harvard Business Review

We knew we had to concentrate for 90 minutes and we didn't".

The Guardian - Sport

In New York, frozen concentrate for March delivery rose 4 cents, to 80.2 cents a pound.

The New York Times

Sitting at home, I can't concentrate for the pull of text messages and emails.

The Guardian - Books

Instead, I struggled to concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time.

The Guardian

Fitness is important because you can concentrate for longer periods of time.

The Guardian - Sport

"We have to make sure we concentrate for every game," Benítez said.

The Guardian - Sport

"She seems unable to concentrate for long," said her teacher, a woman named Mullalai.

The New York Times

And even fewer can concentrate for more than 90 minutes without a break.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concentrate for", specify the duration or purpose to provide clear context. For example, "concentrate for 30 minutes" or "concentrate for the exam".

Common error

Avoid using "concentrate for" without specifying what you are concentrating on. Instead of saying "I need to concentrate for a while", specify the task: "I need to concentrate for a while on this report".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concentrate for" functions as a verb phrase, indicating the action of focusing one's attention or mental effort on something, often with an implied or stated duration. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "concentrate for" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that signifies focusing one's attention or effort on something, typically for a specific duration or purpose. According to Ludwig, it appears most frequently in news and media, scientific, and sports contexts. To ensure clarity, it is best practice to specify what one needs to concentrate on and for how long. While the phrase is widely accepted, avoiding ambiguity by providing context improves the overall quality of the writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus intently on

Emphasizes a high degree of attention and effort directed towards something.

maintain focus on

Highlights the continuous effort required to stay attentive.

remain attentive to

Stresses the importance of staying aware and responsive.

dedicate attention to

Focuses on the allocation of mental resources.

apply oneself to

Emphasizes personal effort and commitment.

immerse oneself in

Suggests a deep level of engagement and absorption.

give undivided attention to

Highlights the complete focus being given.

center one's thoughts on

Focuses on directing mental processes.

be absorbed in

Indicates a state of being fully engrossed.

keep one's mind on

Focuses on maintaining mental awareness and direction.

FAQs

How can I use "concentrate for" in a sentence?

Use "concentrate for" to indicate focusing your attention on something for a specified duration, such as, "I need to "concentrate for" 2 hours to finish this project."

What are some alternatives to "concentrate for"?

Alternatives include "focus on", "dedicate attention to", or "apply oneself to depending on the context".

Is it grammatically correct to use "concentrate for"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "concentrate for" when you want to express focusing your attention during a period, but remember to specify the thing you need to focus your attention to.

How does "concentrate for" differ from "focus on"?

"Concentrate for" typically includes a time element, implying focusing for a duration. While "focus on" simply indicates where your attention is directed, without necessarily implying time.