failing to focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failing to focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a lack of concentration or attention on a particular task or subject. Example: "The team is struggling with productivity, often failing to focus on their main objectives."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

Question: Do most business execs fail by failing to focus?

Forbes

Another is failing to focus the business idea.

The New York Times

His administration was often faulted for failing to focus on one or two large goals, pursuing them vigorously.

The Guardian - Books

See also post, at 1212 (criticizing the Court for failing to focus its analysis on "whether the element of reliance is susceptible to classwide proof").

Harvard University

The actor has previously called out the UK film industry for failing to focus on films with black protagonists set in a heroic context.

The Guardian - Film

At Wednesday's meeting, several of the 40 community residents in attendance rebuked board members during the public discussion period for failing to focus on educational issues.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Mr. Scheuer is particularly critical of the F.B.I. for failing to adequately focus on Al Qaeda before the attacks, and then, he said, trying to avoid blame afterwards.

The New York Times

He blithely concluded that a criminal penalty such as "a short jail sentence or a fine" for failing to report would "focus people's minds", while there should be "immunity for individuals if they did report".

Independent

By failing to coordinate and focus all elements of power, he told The Huffington Post, the United States has "outsourced foreign policy to the U.S. military, and we are frequently not the very best tool".

Huffington Post

In the new brief, the government virtually apologized to the judge for failing earlier "to focus on the grave damage to national security interests" that would result from interfering with what now appears to be the strategy of isolating Mr. Padilla.

The New York Times

One of his other techniques has been to win support of the audience by chiding his rivals for failing to keep the focus on defeating Mr. Obama.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing productivity issues, specify what consequences arise from "failing to focus". For example, instead of saying "The team is failing to focus", elaborate with "The team is failing to focus, resulting in missed deadlines and lower quality work".

Common error

Be careful not to attribute all negative outcomes solely to "failing to focus". Consider other contributing factors like inadequate resources, unclear instructions, or external disruptions to provide a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failing to focus" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as a subject, object, or part of a predicate in a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples show its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "failing to focus" is a grammatically sound and versatile gerund phrase that effectively communicates a lack of concentration or attention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using the phrase, ensure you're specific about the consequences and consider other contributing factors to provide a balanced perspective. Alternatives like "lacking concentration" or "unable to concentrate" can be used for variety. Remember to avoid overgeneralization and consider the specific nuances of the situation when using "failing to focus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking concentration

Replaces the verb phrase with a noun phrase emphasizing the absence of concentration.

unable to concentrate

Uses "unable" instead of "failing" to highlight the inability to focus.

losing focus

Emphasizes the action of losing concentration over time.

lack of focus

Nominalizes the phrase, emphasizing the absence of focus as a state.

wandering attention

Uses "wandering" to describe attention that drifts away from the intended target.

being distracted

Focuses on the state of being pulled away by other stimuli.

not paying attention

A more direct and simple way of expressing a lack of focus.

inattentiveness

Uses a single word to convey a general lack of attention.

mind wandering

Highlights the internal mental state of straying thoughts.

negligence in focusing

Emphasizes a careless lack of effort to focus.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "failing to focus" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "lacking concentration", "unable to concentrate", or "losing focus" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What does it mean when someone is "failing to focus"?

It generally means they are having difficulty concentrating or paying attention to the task or subject at hand. It implies a lack of mental focus, which can lead to errors, delays, or decreased productivity.

Is it better to say "failing to concentrate" or "failing to focus"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and largely interchangeable. "Failing to focus" might be slightly broader, encompassing both concentration and general attention, while "failing to concentrate" specifically refers to the ability to direct one's mental effort.

What are the common causes of "failing to focus"?

Common causes include distractions, stress, lack of sleep, poor time management, or underlying medical conditions such as ADHD. Identifying the cause is crucial for addressing the issue effectively.