focus intently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus intently" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the act of concentrating deeply on a task or subject. Example: "During the exam, I had to focus intently to recall all the information I had studied."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Focus intently for those 25 minutes.

Harvard Business Review

If you focus intently enough on something, it will happen.

The New York Times

Get them to empty their minds of all thoughts and focus intently on the now.

Independent

He promised to focus intently on the issue of most immediate concern to the nation, jobs.

The New York Times

Mr. Stevens was adamant that the campaign focus intently on the economy and his business experience.

The New York Times

Thus Democrats will need to focus intently on state and local races.

The Guardian - Opinion

Many new government initiatives focus intently on realising the military and civil synergies.

The Guardian

While Siemens still sells high-end goods, engineers now focus intently from the start on delivering exactly what customers need.

The Guardian

When Ghebar asked the counsellor for advice, he was told to try to focus intently on the present.

The New Yorker

If you want a young person to focus intently in school and perform well on tests, should you first send him or her to gym class?

The New York Times

One journalist who did focus intently on the risks before the I.P.O. was Eileen Brown, a social media business consultant who blogs for the ZDNet technology Web site.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focus intently", ensure it's followed by a preposition like 'on' to specify the subject of concentration. For example: "Focus intently on the task at hand."

Common error

Avoid using reflexive pronouns unnecessarily with "focus intently". It's incorrect to say "focus intently oneself"; instead, use "focus intently" followed by the object of focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus intently" functions as a verb phrase, where "focus" is the verb indicating the action of concentrating, and "intently" is an adverb modifying the verb, emphasizing the degree of concentration. Ludwig AI supports this.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focus intently" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to convey a high degree of concentration. As Ludwig AI shows, it appears frequently in various reliable sources, particularly in news, business, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, remember to specify what you are focusing on. It is considered a neutral expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate deeply

This emphasizes the depth of concentration, highlighting sustained focus.

pay close attention

It denotes careful observation, where the focal point is on meticulous attention.

concentrate one's attention

It suggests channeling focus towards a specific target or point of interest.

apply oneself diligently

It highlights applying effort and diligence to a task, implying focused determination.

immerse oneself fully

It conveys a sense of complete engagement, where one becomes deeply involved and concentrated.

dedicate oneself wholeheartedly

It emphasizes devotion and complete dedication, indicating an unwavering commitment.

keep one's eye on the ball

It serves as an idiom for staying focused on the essential task at hand, avoiding distractions.

laser focus

Implies extreme concentration and precision like a laser beam on a single point.

bear down

Suggests applying serious effort and concentration, especially when facing challenges.

throw oneself into

Denotes engaging intensely and enthusiastically in an activity.

FAQs

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

Use "focus intently" followed by 'on' and the subject of concentration. For example, "The team had to "focus intently" on the details to avoid errors."

What are some alternatives to "focus intently"?

You can use alternatives like "concentrate deeply", "pay close attention", or "immerse oneself fully" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "focus intently at" instead of "focus intently on"?

While "at" can sometimes indicate direction, "on" is generally preferred and more grammatically correct when using "focus intently" because it specifies the object or subject of focus.

What's the difference between "focus intently" and "focus sharply"?

"Focus intently" implies a high degree of concentration and dedication over a period, while "focus sharply" suggests precision and clarity in attention, often in a more immediate sense.