dilute the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dilute the focus" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has shifted the focus of attention or caused the focus to be less concentrated on a certain topic or issue. For example: "The constant interruptions in the meeting were starting to dilute the focus and take away from the overall goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The book loses momentum only when a few secondary characters, seemingly brought in to support the plot, dilute the focus on Del and Mark.

The New York Times - Books

But Pakistan did not respond warmly to those initiatives, seeing them as an attempt by India to dilute the focus on Kashmir, analysts said.

The New York Times

Appendages dilute the focus, energy, and accountability of management and in the process shortchange both the core business and the new venture.

Harvard Business Review

These nonstrategic programs can take on a life of their own, tempting managers to expand and dilute the focus of their brand purpose and split their attention in ways that don't help growth.

Harvard Business Review

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), the top Republican on the Senate homeland security committee, said she remained "concerned" that changes may dilute the focus of Brennan and homeland security staffers.

The Washington Post

Yanagisako and Durham both said that some in the department viewed Wessells' proposal as positive, while others viewed it as an administrative intrusion that would dilute the focus of a department that was only about half the size of others ranked in the top 10.

Stanford University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

It also dilutes the focus on domestic violence by expanding protections to new groups, like same-sex couples, they say.

The New York Times

But they are not incorporated here so as to avoid diluting the focus.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

But some felt it diluted the focus on one or the other.

Science Magazine

Small and local is the most effective way of engaging with hard-to-reach people: Larger scales tend to dilute the local focus and the social focus begins to emphasise financial and operational considerations.

The Guardian

Questions on psychopathology are balanced with positively phrased questions on free time activities and quality of life, to dilute the negative focus of symptom-targeted questions.

BMC Psychiatry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dilute the focus" when you want to express the idea of something becoming less central or intense due to the introduction of other elements or distractions. This implies a weakening of the primary subject's importance.

Common error

While the phrase is acceptable, overuse can make writing seem less precise. In formal contexts, consider stronger verbs like "undermine", "detract from", or "obscure" for greater impact. Also, ensure the subject of your sentence clearly explains what is causing the dilution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dilute the focus" functions as a verb phrase where "dilute" acts as a transitive verb, "the" is a definite article, and "focus" is the direct object. It describes the action of making a specific focus less concentrated or intense. Ludwig confirms its grammatical validity and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dilute the focus" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that describes the act of lessening the concentration or intensity on a particular subject or issue. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. As evidenced by the examples provided, it is commonly used in news, academic, and business contexts to analyze situations where attention is being diverted or weakened. While the phrase is acceptable, consider stronger verbs like "undermine", "detract from", or "obscure" for greater impact, depending on the context. Remember to clarify what is causing the dilution for better precision. In summary, use this phrase when you want to express a weakening of a primary subject's importance through the introduction of other elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decrease the focus

Replace "dilute" with a more direct term for reduction.

reduce the focus

Similar to "decrease", emphasizes lessening of attention.

weaken the focus

Highlights a loss of strength or intensity in the focus.

lessen the focus

Implies a diminishing of the focal point.

diffuse the focus

Suggests spreading out the attention, making it less concentrated.

divert the focus

Highlights redirection of attention elsewhere.

shift the focus

Emphasizes a change in the focal point.

blur the focus

Suggests making the focal point less clear.

muddy the focus

Similar to "blur", implies obscuring the focal point.

obscure the focus

Highlights making the attention less noticeable or prominent.

FAQs

What does it mean to "dilute the focus"?

To "dilute the focus" means to lessen the concentration or intensity on a particular subject or issue, often by introducing other elements or distractions that weaken its importance or clarity.

How can I use "dilute the focus" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how secondary characters "dilute the focus" in a story, or how non-strategic programs "dilute the focus" of a brand purpose.

What are some alternatives to "dilute the focus"?

You can use alternatives like "decrease the focus", "reduce the focus", or "weaken the focus" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "dilute the focus"?

Yes, "dilute the focus" is grammatically correct and commonly used in various forms of writing, as confirmed by Ludwig and evidenced by its presence in reputable sources.