concentrating

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "concentrating" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of focusing one's attention or mental effort on a particular task or subject. Example: "I find it difficult to concentrate when there are so many distractions around me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We're just looking forward to the next bit, we're concentrating on South Africa but then hopefully on to bigger things.

The Guardian - Sport

Stories of Twitter cascades and viral news are skewed by concentrating on the tiny proportion of success stories, while audiences of mere handfuls greet millions of hopeful uploaders on to YouTube, SoundCloud and Kindle (most self-published ebooks sell fewer than 100 copies).

The Guardian - Opinion

But its makers, a group called Invisible Children, have been widely criticised by Ugandan journalists and other aid agencies for being self-promoting (the video spends much of its 28 minutes on its maker, Jason Russell and his young son, Gavin) and opaque about its use of funds – and for concentrating on an issue that has dramatically changed in recent years.

The Guardian

The authorities are concentrating their efforts on Kayes, a town of 128,000 inhabitants, which sits in the south-west of the country not far from the border with Senegal.

The Guardian

With no military training, Muhammad was always going to be overlooked, and ended up concentrating on roles in Libya's burgeoning mobile phone industry.

The Guardian - Opinion

Oliver Coppard, the Labour candidate for the constituency, is concentrating on little else.

The Guardian

Outside the Brighton dressing-rooms, Jokanovic had said the team had no plans to celebrate and were concentrating on trying to beat Sheffield Wednesday.

The Guardian - Sport

Sometimes when you're really hurting, those are times when you need to consciously take that effort and mindfully think: 'I need to be concentrating on this next step'.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The party is fighting more than 400 seats, concentrating on the south-west and north-east.

The Guardian

"That's when it starts to feel real and then it will be a case of – and I'll try not to swear – concentrating on getting some points in the bag.

The Guardian - Sport

"They sit reasonably still," he explains, "you've got their hands on the table, they are concentrating, they are ignoring me, yet I feel I'm close to them".

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "concentrating", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is focusing on. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the object of concentration immediately after the verb. For example, "He is concentrating on his studies" is clearer than "He is concentrating."

Common error

Avoid using "concentrating" without a clear indication of what the focus is. Vague statements like "They are concentrating" lack clarity. Instead, specify what they are focusing on, such as "They are concentrating their efforts on marketing."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "concentrating" is as a present participle, often used in continuous verb tenses (e.g., "is concentrating") to describe an ongoing action. It can also function as a gerund or participle adjective, modifying nouns. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and varied usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "concentrating" is the present participle of concentrate, used to express focused attention or effort. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage across diverse contexts, especially in news and media, sports, and lifestyle content. While grammatically sound and frequently used, ensure clarity by specifying the object of concentration. Related phrases include "focusing" and "paying attention", offering subtle variations in emphasis. By specifying focus, avoiding ambiguity, and leveraging the varied examples provided by Ludwig, you can effectively employ "concentrating" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focusing

Implies a direct and deliberate act of directing attention to a specific point or task; more active and intentional.

paying attention

Emphasizes the act of observing and heeding details, potentially implying a sense of mindfulness and care.

devoting attention

Highlights the commitment of time and mental resources to a particular subject or activity.

focusing efforts

Indicates directing all available resources and energies toward a specific objective.

applying oneself

Suggests a dedicated and diligent approach, implying a strong personal investment in achieving a goal.

giving attention

Focuses on the act of providing time or resources to something.

centering on

Highlights the importance of the central focus.

directing efforts

Emphasizes the strategic aspect of focusing on a target.

addressing

Puts the focus on solving a certain issue/problem.

tackling

Places more emphasis on a difficulty.

FAQs

How can I use "concentrating" in a sentence?

"Concentrating" is the present participle of the verb concentrate, and it is used to describe the action of focusing one's attention or efforts. For example, "She is "concentrating" on her work" or "The team is "concentrating" on improving their performance".

What are some alternatives to "concentrating"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "focusing", "paying attention", or "devoting attention". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "concentrating in" or "concentrating on"?

While both can be used, "concentrating on" is more common and generally preferred when referring to focusing on a task, subject, or goal. "Concentrating in" is typically used to specify an area of study or specialization, as in "She is "concentrating" in biology".

What's the difference between "concentrating" and "focusing"?

While both terms relate to directing attention, "concentrating" often implies a more sustained and deliberate effort to maintain focus, especially when facing distractions. "Focusing" is more general and can refer to a brief or momentary direction of attention. The choice depends on the context and the degree of effort implied.