focus attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus attention" is correct and is commonly used in written English.
For example, you could say "The teacher asked the students to focus their attention on the lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wish to focus attention on this once more.

The New York Times

Ms. Shields has helped focus attention on postpartum depression.

The New York Times

This season especially will focus attention on career totals.

The New York Times - Sports

Crime mapping was introduced to focus attention and resources.

The Economist

Celebrities, he said, "focus attention on a problem.

The New York Times

"Awards are very important to focus attention on books.

The New York Times

The UN's millennium development goals helped focus attention on issues such as pregnancy care and childbirth.

The Guardian

SEPTEMBER White House opens campaign to focus attention on threat from Iraq.

The New York Times

"But she believes that this is a time to focus attention on the recovery effort".

The New York Times

It strengthened their influence, allowing them to focus attention on Kashmir.

The Guardian - Opinion

He is determined to focus attention on this aspect of the game.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “focus attention” when you want to emphasize directing effort towards a specific point or task. For broader emphasis, consider using "draw attention" or "direct attention".

Common error

Avoid using reflexive pronouns unnecessarily. Instead of saying "Focus yourself attention on the task", simply say "Focus your attention on the task".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus attention" primarily functions as a verb phrase, typically followed by 'on' and a noun phrase indicating the target of the attention. It describes the act of directing one's cognitive resources or efforts towards something specific. Ludwig confirms that this is a common and grammatically sound construction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus attention" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig. Its primary function is to direct cognitive effort towards a specific point, often emphasized by the preposition "on". It’s versatile across formal and informal contexts, commonly appearing in news, scientific articles, and general discussions. While alternatives like "concentrate attention" exist, "focus attention" maintains its relevance for its direct and clear instruction to prioritize mental efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate attention

Emphasizes sustained mental effort and reduced distraction.

direct attention

Highlights the act of guiding or pointing attention towards something.

center attention

Suggests bringing attention to the most important aspect.

turn attention

Implies a shift or redirection of focus from one thing to another.

draw attention

Focuses on making something noticeable or attracting focus.

devote attention

Conveys dedicating time or resources to a specific thing.

give attention

Simple expression for paying attention to something.

pay attention

Emphasizes the act of consciously noticing and considering something.

zero in on

Emphasizes pinpointing and focusing sharply on a particular detail.

highlight

Stresses making something stand out and noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "focus attention" in a sentence?

You can use "focus attention" to indicate directing mental effort or resources towards something, as in "The speaker urged the audience to focus their attention on the key issues".

What are some alternatives to "focus attention"?

Alternatives include "concentrate attention", "direct attention", or "pay attention" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "focus attention on" or "focus attention to"?

The correct preposition to use with "focus attention" is "on". For example, "focus attention on the problem" is correct, while "focus attention to the problem" is less common.

What is the difference between "focus attention" and "draw attention"?

"Focus attention" implies directing existing attention, whereas "draw attention" means attracting notice to something that may not already be under consideration.