focus intently on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus intently on" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to concentrate or pay close attention to something. You can use it in a sentence to describe someone's actions or behavior. Example: She closed her eyes and focused intently on the sound of the waves crashing against the shore, trying to clear her mind and find inner peace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Several respondents spoke of moving from a paradigm of reductionism, in which scientists focus intently on one gene or one mechanism to solve problems, to a broader paradigm of complex biologic systems.

Environmental Health Perspectives

A baby with ASD may be unresponsive or focus intently on one item to the exclusion of others for long periods of time.

Los Angeles Times

focus intently on a single one of the five physical senses: touch, sight, smell, hearing, taste.

Huffington Post

But this is the one day in our calendar when we focus intently on how far we have to go until ourselves and our world are at peace and whole.

HuffPost

"We have decided that now is the time for me to focus intently on my top priority, my family," added Mr. Griffin, who was one of 87 House Republicans who voted for the Senate plan to end the shutdown.

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

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

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "focus intently on" when you want to emphasize a high degree of concentration and deliberate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "focus intently on" for mundane tasks. This phrase implies a significant level of concentration, so reserve it for situations where genuine focus is required.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus intently on" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a deliberate action of concentrating one's attention. It's used to emphasize the degree of concentration being applied, as confirmed by Ludwig and supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

18%

Academia

3%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "focus intently on" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to emphasize a high degree of concentration. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various sources. Predominantly found in News & Media, it conveys a message of dedication and effort. While alternatives like "concentrate deeply on" exist, "focus intently on" provides a specific nuance of deliberate and intense focus. Use it judiciously to highlight situations requiring significant attention, while avoiding overuse in trivial contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate deeply on

Replaces "focus intently" with "concentrate deeply", emphasizing the depth of concentration.

concentrate intensely on

Replaces "focus intently" with "concentrate intensely", maintaining a similar level of emphasis.

focus closely on

Uses "focus closely" instead of "focus intently", indicating a high degree of attention to detail.

pay close attention to

Replaces the entire phrase with a more common expression for careful observation.

immerse oneself in

Suggests a deeper level of engagement, where one is completely absorbed by the subject.

dedicate oneself to

Emphasizes commitment and effort towards a specific goal or subject.

zero in on

An idiomatic expression that suggests targeting something with precision.

rivet attention on

Suggests a captivating focus, drawing attention forcefully.

be absorbed in

Highlights a state of being completely engrossed or preoccupied.

prioritize

Simplifies the phrase to indicate giving something the highest importance and focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "focus intently on" to describe the act of giving something your complete and undivided attention. For example, "The detective had to focus intently on the evidence to solve the case."

What are some alternatives to "focus intently on"?

You can use alternatives like "concentrate deeply on", "pay close attention to", or "immerse oneself in", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "focus intently on" or "focus intensely on"?

Both "focus intently on" and "focus intensely on" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference, although "focus intently on" may be slightly more common.

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

"Focus intently on" implies a higher degree of concentration and effort than simply "focus on". The word "intently" emphasizes the depth and intensity of the focus.