diluted the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"diluted the focus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to describe the effect of something that decreases attention or importance from something else. For example, "We had to move quickly due to time constraints, which diluted the focus on details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

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

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 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

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

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

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

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

A Microsoft-Salesforce combination would dilute the focus of the company's culture where everything flows in and out of Redmond to a Redmond-San Francisco focus.

Forbes

This usually marks the end of organic growth, as partnerships and alliances aid growth, but again dilute the focus on culture.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "diluted the focus", ensure that the context clearly indicates what caused the dilution and what the original focus was. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "diluted the focus" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger verbs like "weakened", "obscured", or "diminished" for a more impactful tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "diluted the focus" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe how something has reduced the concentration or intensity of a particular subject or objective. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness in general English writing.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "diluted the focus" is a versatile and widely used expression that signifies a reduction in the concentration or intensity of attention on a particular subject. As affirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and appropriate for general use. While generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overusing it in highly formal writing, opting for stronger synonyms like "weakened" or "diminished" instead. Remember to provide context to ensure clarity. It appears frequently across various authoritative sources like The New York Times and Forbes, fitting well in news articles, business discussions and academic papers. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively use "diluted the focus" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

weakened the emphasis

Changes the verb to 'weakened', implying a less forceful reduction in emphasis.

lessened the concentration

Replaces 'focus' with 'concentration', offering a synonym with a slightly different connotation.

blurred the lines of focus

Uses a more metaphorical expression, suggesting a lack of clarity rather than a reduction in emphasis.

diffused the attention

Shifts from 'focus' to 'attention', highlighting the spreading out of attention rather than the weakening of focus.

reduced the intensity

Emphasizes a reduction in the strength or force of the focus.

diminished the importance

Highlights a decrease in the perceived significance of the focus.

obscured the main point

Indicates that the central point has become less clear or noticeable.

scattered the spotlight

Uses a more vivid metaphor to describe the spreading of attention away from a central point.

attenuated the concentration

Uses a more technical term, 'attenuated', to suggest a weakening of concentration.

softened the impact

Suggests that the focus, while still present, has a reduced effect.

FAQs

What does "diluted the focus" mean?

The phrase "diluted the focus" means to lessen the concentration, intensity, or importance of a particular subject or objective. It suggests that attention or resources have been spread too thinly, reducing the impact on the original point of interest.

What can I say instead of "diluted the focus"?

You can use alternatives like "weakened the emphasis", "lessened the concentration", or "blurred the lines of focus" depending on the context.

Is "diluted the focus" a negative phrase?

Generally, yes. "Diluted the focus" often implies that something has been made less effective or impactful. However, in some contexts, it could simply mean that the scope has broadened, which isn't inherently negative.

How to use "diluted the focus" in a sentence?

Example: "The addition of several new projects "diluted the focus" on our primary goal."