focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'focus' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to mean giving attention or effort to a particular task, person, issue, etc. For example, "I'm trying to focus on my studies this semester."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The grievances aren't unreasonable, on either side, but the focus on fairness, by making it harder to reach any kind of agreement at all, could prove disastrous.

The New York Times

We're playing pretty well right now, and we want to keep the focus on the field".

The New York Times - Sports

That doesn't mean getting out of print, but it does require a greater focus of attention, imagination and resource on the various forms that digital future is likely to take".

The Guardian

Charities and the non-government sector welcomed elements of Bishop's proposals, such as the focus on female involvement and performance benchmarks, but raised concern over the need to ensure benefits from "aid for trade" flowed to the people in greatest need and reduced poverty.

The Guardian

He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show: "Sometimes I get the impression that people are waiting for an accident so that they can really focus [on] avoiding a bigger disaster.

The Guardian - Business

The Live Better Challenge is funded by Unilever; its focus is sustainable living.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Anelay said: "The government believes the most effective way to prevent refugees and migrants attempting this dangerous crossing is to focus our attention on countries of origin and transit, as well as taking steps to fight the people smugglers who wilfully put lives at risk by packing migrants into unseaworthy boats".

The Guardian

"This is our focus.

The Guardian

Levitt argued that a focus on products rather than on customers led the companies to misunderstand their core business.

The Economist

And it's hard to think of a scandal that's more discordant with an image of focus and discipline than this one.

The Economist

He added that it would be "sensible" for the CDC to focus its attentions on the same geographical areas as government, although exact details would be up for discussion.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focus" as a noun, ensure that the sentence clearly defines the item you are describing in focus. For example, "The main focus of the meeting was project budgeting."

Common error

Avoid using unnecessary prepositions after "focus". For example, instead of saying "focus on on" or "focus in on", simply use "focus on" to maintain clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "focus" is that of a noun or a verb. As Ludwig AI suggests, it signifies concentration of attention or directing attention to a specific point. Ludwig examples highlight its versatility in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "focus" functions as both a noun and a verb, denoting concentration of attention or directing effort towards a specific point. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is correct, and its usage is very common across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science domains. Related phrases include "concentrate on" and "emphasize". To ensure clarity, avoid redundant prepositions such as "focus on on". The analyzed data underlines that "focus" is a versatile and widely accepted term. Ludwig's examples further illustrate its adaptable usage in various scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate on

Specifies directing one's attention or efforts towards a particular subject or goal.

concentrate

Emphasizes mental effort and direction of thought.

direct attention to

Implies intentionally guiding awareness or observation towards something.

zero in on

Implies precise targeting or pinpointing of something.

center on

Indicates placing importance on a central point or subject.

place emphasis on

Denotes assigning importance or priority to something.

draw attention to

Suggests making something noticeable or prominent.

emphasize

Highlights the importance or prominence of something.

highlight

Indicates emphasizing or making something stand out.

stress

Signifies placing particular importance or attention on something.

FAQs

How can I use "focus" in a sentence?

You can use "focus" as both a noun and a verb. For example, "The main focus of the presentation was the new marketing strategy" (noun) or "You need to focus on your priorities" (verb).

What are some synonyms for "focus"?

Synonyms for "focus" include "concentrate", "emphasize", "highlight", and "stress". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "focus on on" something?

No, using "focus on on" is redundant and grammatically incorrect. The correct usage is simply "focus on".

What is the difference between "focus" and "emphasis"?

"Focus" refers to a specific point of concentration or attention, while "emphasis" refers to the importance or significance given to something. You might "focus" on a specific task and "place emphasis on" its importance.