excessive focus on

USAGE SUMMARY

"excessive focus on" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe being overly focused on a particular thing or idea. For example, "My parents had an excessive focus on academic achievement, which eventually wore me out."

✓ Grammatically correct

Eating disorders

Harm reduction

Trial design

Domestic policy

Monetary policy

Exam results

Phonics

Gun control

Military power

Terrorism

Iraq upheaval

The deficit

Production goals

Standardized tests

Competition

Extremists

Publicity

Sustainability

GCSE grades

Expansion

Homosexuality

Short-term targets

Civic morality

Donations

Labor costs

Race and religion

SEO

Workplace

Beauty of books

Emissions

Child killer

Population

Camelot

Good and bad food

Referees

Regime change

Best sellers

Risk

Research

Type of food

Daily fires

Organisms

Safety

Emerging technology

Sedation

Diagnosis

Cohesion

Civil-political liberties

Dock program

Short-term results

Nutrient

Healthy eating

Sexual behavior

Anal sex

Popular

Assumptions

Financial incentives

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Eating disorders (ED) are a group of psychiatric disorders characterized by disordered eating habits and excessive focus on one's weight.

BMC Psychiatry

For example, imposing financial penalties may promote under-reporting or excessive focus on one type of harm.

BMJ Quality and Safety

Excessive focus on just one aspect of outcome (such as quality of life) may lead to over-emphasis on this point in trial design.

Breast Cancer Research

Obviously, no one wants to see an excessive focus on domestic issues mutate into a wave of beggar-thy-neighbour policies.

The Economist

"An excessive focus on monetary policy in many respects is a massive blame-deflection exercise.

The Guardian - Business

"An excessive focus on exam results is turning our schools at all levels into exam factories.

The Guardian

Their school may be sacrificing comprehension to excessive focus on phonics.

The New York Times

Excessive focus on gun accidents reveals either ignorance or a political agenda.

The New York Times - Health

He complained, justifiably, about Washington's excessive focus on military power to solve political problems.

The New York Times

Tenet, while admitting that his agency made mistakes, said that excessive focus on such mistakes obscures larger truths.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gohar was also critical of what he said was Al Jazeera's excessive focus on the upheaval in Iraq.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your argument, consider providing quantifiable data or specific examples to support your claim that there is indeed an "excessive focus on" a particular issue.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that there is an "excessive focus on" something without providing the necessary background information. Clearly explain what is being focused on, why it's considered excessive, and what the appropriate level of focus should be. This prevents ambiguity and strengthens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excessive focus on" functions primarily as a descriptor indicating an overemphasis or undue attention being given to a particular subject or aspect. Ludwig examples showcase it describing issues ranging from domestic policies to personal habits, highlighting the broad applicability of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

31%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "excessive focus on" is a versatile expression used to denote an undue or disproportionate emphasis on a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms that it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. As demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, this phrase appears across various domains, from news and media to scientific research, highlighting its common usage in critical analysis. When employing this phrase, articulate clearly the negative consequences of this overemphasis and provide context to why it is considered excessive. Consider using alternatives such as "inordinate focus on" or "undue emphasis on" to vary your language while maintaining a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inordinate focus on

Emphasizes a disproportionate amount of attention.

undue emphasis on

Highlights the inappropriateness or unjustified nature of the emphasis.

disproportionate attention to

Indicates that the attention given is not in proper relation to other things.

overemphasis of

Focuses on the act of emphasizing too much.

unwarranted attention to

Highlights the lack of justification for the attention.

overly concerned with

Shifts focus to the state of being excessively worried or preoccupied.

preoccupation with

Focuses on being absorbed or engrossed with something.

obsessive attention to

Suggests a compulsive and unhealthy focus.

excessive concentration on

Highlights the intensity and narrowness of focus.

undue weight given to

Suggests that something is being considered more important than it should be.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "excessive focus on" to sound more positive?

While "excessive focus on" typically implies a negative connotation, you can rephrase it to sound more positive by using terms like "strong emphasis on", "heightened awareness of", or "prioritization of", depending on the context.

What are some alternatives to "excessive focus on" that still convey a negative connotation?

Alternatives that maintain a negative connotation include "inordinate focus on", "undue emphasis on", "disproportionate attention to", or "overemphasis of".

Is it always wrong to have an "excessive focus on" something?

Not always. While "excessive focus on" generally suggests a negative imbalance, in certain critical situations, such as during a crisis or when addressing a severe threat, a seemingly "excessive focus on" a particular aspect may be necessary and justified.

How do I determine if there is genuinely an "excessive focus on" something, or if it is simply a matter of perspective?

To determine if a focus is genuinely excessive, consider objective metrics, compare the focus to established norms or benchmarks, analyze the consequences of the focus, and seek diverse perspectives to avoid bias. The use of external data and well-reasoned arguments will help establish whether the focus is indeed disproportionate or simply perceived as such.