concentrate on a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concentrate on a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of focusing one's attention or efforts on a specific issue or challenge. Example: "In order to find a solution, we need to concentrate on the problem at hand and analyze all possible options."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In "Quantum Man" — part of the "Great Discoveries" series, for which I have also written a book — we see more of his other side: a master mathematician who could concentrate on a problem for hours and then recast it in a surprising new manner.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Looked at today, the last part of Star Wars concentrates on a problem that might have been invented after, not 14 years before, the 1991 Persian Gulf War: how to fly a computerized, one-man jet fighter down a narrow corridor under heavy antiaircraft fire and drop a missile into an impossibly small air shaft, the sole vulnerable spot in the Emperor's Death Star.

Huffington Post

Concentrate on a single problem that is enjoyable for one to think about.

WikiHow

Because adding on another task while trying to concentrate on a driving problem, that's what bilingualism gives you — though I wouldn't advise doing this.

The New York Times - Science

In this paper, we concentrate on a challenging problem, i.e., weakly supervised image parsing, whereby only weak image-level labels are available in the dataset.

Journal of Visual Communication and Image Representation

I loved the clear, focused feeling that came when I concentrated on solving a problem and everything else faded out".

The New York Times - Books

But while new entrants crowd into the Union, back in Brussels the finest minds at the European Commission are concentrating on a different problem: how to kick countries out.

The Economist

We try to avoid repetition herein, and instead of rehashing all of the points made in our previous discussion, we will concentrate on a few fundamental problems that undermine the whole premise of the original paper.

Coastal Engineering

But sometimes by tightening and clarifying the law, we can concentrate attention and resources on a problem".

The New York Times

To highlight the applicability of the method, we concentrate on a special real-world problem: the investment decisions of two firms that are analyzing investing in a new technology.

Journal of Industrial Engineering International

I couldn't concentrate on my problem.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concentrate on a problem" in writing, ensure the context clearly defines the specific problem you are focusing on for clarity and impact. Be specific.

Common error

Avoid using "concentrate on a problem" without clearly specifying what the problem is. Vague references can confuse readers and weaken the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "concentrate on a problem" primarily functions as a directive, urging focus and attention toward resolving a specific issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "concentrate on a problem" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed expression used to direct focus toward resolving a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various contexts, predominantly in news, scientific, and general informational domains. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively conveys the importance of dedicating attention and effort to understanding and addressing a particular challenge. For alternative expressions, consider options such as "focus on an issue", or "address a concern", tailored to the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus on an issue

Replaces "problem" with the broader term "issue".

focus your attention on a difficulty

Substitutes "concentrate" with "focus your attention" and replaces "problem" with "difficulty" to convey a more emphatic sense of focus.

dedicate attention to a challenge

Changes both the verb and noun, using "dedicate attention" instead of "concentrate" and "challenge" instead of "problem", suggesting commitment to the task.

address a concern

Replaces "concentrate on" with "address" and "problem" with "concern", offering a solution-oriented perspective.

tackle a difficulty

Employs "tackle" as a more proactive substitute for "concentrate on", implying a direct approach to resolving a "difficulty".

zero in on a stumbling block

Replaces "concentrate" with "zero in on" and "problem" with "stumbling block" to convey narrowing focus with more vivid and picturesque language.

immerse yourself in a puzzle

Suggests a deeper level of engagement, replacing "concentrate" with "immerse yourself in" and framing the "problem" as a "puzzle".

devote time to a conundrum

Replaces "concentrate on" with "devote time to" and "problem" with "conundrum" to emphasize the investment of effort into a perplexing issue.

be absorbed by a puzzle

Emphasizes mental immersion, changing "concentrate" to "be absorbed by" while retaining the idea of a "puzzle".

center your thoughts on an obstacle

Emphasizes mental centering, replacing "concentrate" with "center your thoughts" and framing the "problem" as an "obstacle".

FAQs

What does "concentrate on a problem" mean?

The phrase "concentrate on a problem" means to focus one's attention, effort, and resources on understanding and resolving a specific issue or challenge.

How can I use "concentrate on a problem" in a sentence?

You can use it like this: "To find a solution, we must "concentrate on a problem" and analyze all possible options".

What are some alternatives to "concentrate on a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "focus on an issue", "address a concern", or "tackle a difficulty" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "concentrate on a problem" and "focus on a problem"?

While similar, "concentrate on a problem" often implies a more sustained and intense level of attention compared to "focus on a problem". Both suggest directing attention to an issue, but "concentrate" suggests a deeper engagement.