diffuse the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "diffuse the focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of spreading attention or concentration over a wider area or multiple subjects, rather than concentrating on a single point. Example: "In order to encourage creativity, we should diffuse the focus of our brainstorming sessions to include a variety of ideas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There is nothing here to diffuse the focus: it's on Porsches, everywhere, all the time.

The New York Times

Arguing that religion was essential for the morality of the young nation, Patrick Henry proposed a system of state support for multiple Christian denominations in 1784 (to diffuse the focus on Anglicanism).

The New York Times

By contrast, the interior of the cab — the light diffuse, the focus sharp — appears comfortably protective, even luxurious.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In Tampa, the Republicans' next-generation White House contenders, such as Governor Chris Christie, of New Jersey, and Senator Marco Rubio, of Florida, sold their own stories at length from the podium, diffusing the focus on the nominee, Mitt Romney, who needed all the clarifying attention he could get.

The New Yorker

I asked Tarin if he worried that Pakistan's political melodrama would diffuse the intense focus the country's problems require.

The New York Times - Magazine

This lack of focus effectively diffuses the pleasure of watching veteran actors jostle for attention: there's more humor in any one of Mr. Torn's expressions than in the painful, shiver-me-timbers dialogue.

The New York Times

"ChannelPoint is the only player I'm aware of trying to automate both the front and back ends of business-to-business insurance," says Sentner. "The risk is that this could diffuse their focus.

Forbes

Unravelling the causal genetic changes of diffuse gliomas has been the focus of extensive research in the past decade [ 4– 6] and it is now possible to classify diffuse gliomas based on their molecular characteristics [ 7– 11].

Acta neuropathologica communications

When one person is being an ass, you can pretty much deal with him, or I can — and people who do what I do better be able to — but with three the focus was so diffuse.

The New Yorker

The focus localization was diffuse or uncertain in six patients, and lateralized or localized within a lobe in the remainder of cases.

Human Brain Mapping

T lymphocytes (CD3, CD4, and CD8) were also more numerous in the TAXHER01 specimens; differences between TAXHER01 and control specimens were statistically significant in the diffuse and foci infiltrates for CD3, in the foci, inside and around infiltrates for CD4, and in the foci and around infiltrates for CD8.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "diffuse the focus" when you want to describe the act of spreading attention or importance across multiple elements, rather than concentrating on a single point. It's useful in contexts where flexibility or inclusivity is desired.

Common error

While "diffuse the focus" suggests spreading attention, it can sometimes lead to a lack of clear direction. If your goal is to achieve a specific outcome or make a strong impact, consider maintaining a clear and singular focus instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diffuse the focus" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. It describes an action taken to spread out or weaken the concentration of attention or emphasis, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diffuse the focus" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It describes the act of spreading attention or emphasis across multiple areas, rather than concentrating on a single point. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources such as The New York Times and The New Yorker, suggesting its appropriateness in a variety of contexts. Alternatives like "dilute the focus" or "broaden the scope" may be used for similar effect, depending on the desired nuance. While spreading focus can be beneficial in some situations, it's important to remember to maintain a singular focus when clarity is needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dilute the focus

Similar meaning, suggesting a weakening of concentration.

blur the focus

Suggests making the point of attention less clear.

scatter the attention

Implies spreading attention in many directions.

broaden the scope

Indicates an expansion of the area being considered.

widen the scope

Very similar to 'broaden the scope', implying a larger area of attention.

divert the attention

Suggests redirecting attention away from a specific point.

spread the emphasis

Implies distributing importance across multiple elements.

redistribute the focus

Suggests a deliberate shifting of attention from one area to others.

generalize the focus

To make the point of attention more encompassing and less specific.

expand the perspective

Suggests looking at something from multiple viewpoints, diluting a singular focus.

FAQs

What does "diffuse the focus" mean?

"Diffuse the focus" means to spread attention or emphasis across multiple areas or elements, rather than concentrating it on a single point. It suggests a distribution of importance.

When is it appropriate to "diffuse the focus"?

It's appropriate to "diffuse the focus" when you want to encourage broader participation, explore diverse ideas, or prevent overemphasis on a single aspect. However, ensure that the overall objective remains clear.

What are some alternatives to "diffuse the focus"?

Alternatives include "dilute the focus", "broaden the scope", or "scatter the attention" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How does "diffuse the focus" differ from "sharpen the focus"?

"Diffuse the focus" implies spreading attention, while "sharpen the focus" suggests concentrating it. They are opposite approaches; one promotes breadth, the other promotes depth.