focus away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus away from" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a shift in attention or emphasis away from a certain topic or subject. Example: The new company policies have shifted our focus away from individual performance and towards collaboration and teamwork.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The P.S.C. takes the focus away from interbreeding.

The New Yorker

Livingstone tried to shift the focus away from personalities.

The Guardian

Instead, try to shift their focus away from the bogeyman.

Harvard Business Review

Labour has shifted focus away from the NHS crisis.

The Guardian - Opinion

So we're shifting our focus away from writing reports to actually fix the problems.

The New York Times

It will be hard to shift students' focus away from their richest classmates.

The Economist

Why do you think there's been this shift of focus away from the actor?

The New York Times

Mr Forsyth criticised the shift in focus away from rescue operations.

Independent

You spoke of Iraq's effect in draining our energy and focus away from Afghanistan.

The New Yorker

Raymond said he was shifting his focus away from the deals.

The New York Times

It allowed Southwest to subtly shift the focus away from its fares.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focus away from", ensure the sentence clearly indicates both what attention is being drawn away from and what it is being directed towards to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "focus away from" when a complete elimination of focus is intended. In such cases, consider using phrases like "abandon" or "disregard" to indicate a total cessation of attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus away from" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating a deliberate shift in attention or emphasis. As shown by Ludwig, it's used in diverse contexts to show a redirection from one subject to another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focus away from" is a versatile and commonly used phrasal verb that indicates a shift in attention or emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples across various contexts, including news, academia, and general writing. To ensure clarity, always clearly indicate both the original subject and the new focus of attention. While alternatives like "redirect the focus from" or "divert attention from" exist, "focus away from" remains a direct and effective way to communicate a change in priorities or direction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift the emphasis from

Emphasizes a change in importance or stress from one thing to another.

divert attention from

Highlights the act of drawing attention away from something, often to distract.

redirect the focus from

Implies a more intentional and controlled change in where attention is directed.

move the spotlight from

Suggests a transfer of public or prominent attention.

draw attention away from

Focuses on the action of pulling attention away, often subtly.

take the attention off

A more informal way of saying to remove or reduce attention from something.

deflect attention from

Indicates an attempt to avoid attention, often to conceal something.

re-orient the focus away from

A more formal way to describe a significant change in direction.

recast the spotlight away from

Implies a fundamental change in the portrayal or public perception of something.

turn the concentration away from

Describes a deliberate effort to change what people are concentrating on.

FAQs

How can I use "focus away from" in a sentence?

You can use "focus away from" to indicate a shift in attention or emphasis, such as: "The company decided to "shift the emphasis from" short-term profits to long-term sustainability".

What are some alternatives to "focus away from"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "divert attention from", "redirect the focus from", or "draw attention away from".

Is there a difference between "focus away from" and "shift the focus to"?

"Focus away from" emphasizes the reduction of attention on something, while "shift the focus to" highlights the new target of attention. They can be used together to describe a complete transition.

Which is more appropriate: "focus away from" or "deflect attention from"?

"Focus away from" is generally neutral, while "deflect attention from" often suggests an intention to avoid scrutiny or hide something. The best choice depends on the intended nuance.