focus of discourse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus of discourse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the main topic or subject being discussed in a conversation or written work. Example: "The focus of discourse in this debate centers around climate change and its impact on global policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

In addition, DTC personal genetic testing has been a focus of discourse on the potential for geneticization of social identity and questions over the meaningful extrapolation of individual genetic differences for group memberships.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

With this shift in perspective, the focus of discourse remained on subordination, patriarchal oppression, and victimization.

Wikipedia

A quick scan of major news sources shows that this is the main focus of discourse here in the U.S. The New York Times has a lead story titled "Gore and U.N. Panel Win Peace Prize for Climate Work," that weaves life histories of Gore's climate activism and the superb research of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Understandably, the focus of their discourse is the pathophysiology, containment and treatment of the Ebola outbreak.

The Guardian

It's a refreshing change from the high politics of war-making that has been the consistent focus of our discourse over the past two years.

The Guardian - Books

Prior work in face-to-face collaborative learning situations has shown that the features of representational notations can influence the focus of learners' discourse and collaborative activities.

Computers & Education

In addition, a strong theological voluntarism shifted the focus of theological discourse away from God's intellect and the rationality of his creation and toward the absolute power and arbitrariness of God's will.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"The crucial thing is that the prospect [of impeachment] now be taken seriously, that the machinery of removal be reactivated, and that the need to use it become the focus of political discourse going into 2018," Tribe concluded.

HuffPost

According to Cox (2005), by concentrating on drawing as meaning making takes the focus of the discourse on representation away from the drawings and toward children's intentions.

CBE Life Sciences Education

Ultimately, the issue of healthcare access regardless of migrant status may require broadening the focus of migration discourse in ASEAN from mere "ASEAN migrant workers" to "ASEAN citizens".

Global Health Action

Since the usual focus of functional discourse is on organisms, features selected positively or negatively at higher or lower levels but neutral (or negative) for organisms are considered to have only casual role functions for the purposes of figure 1.

Genome Biology and Evolution

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focus of discourse", ensure that the context clearly defines the specific area of discussion. Use it to highlight the main subject being explored, especially in academic or formal settings.

Common error

Avoid using "focus of discourse" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "main topic" or "subject" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "focus of discourse" is as a noun phrase acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It identifies the central theme or point of attention in a discussion or written piece, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus of discourse" is a noun phrase used to denote the central theme or subject of a discussion. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is grammatically sound and suitable for use in written English. While grammatically correct, it's more appropriate for formal or academic contexts, as it appears most frequently in scientific and news media sources. It is considered rare. For less formal situations, simpler alternatives like "main topic" or "subject" may be more fitting. Remember to use "focus of discourse" when a precise and formal identification of the discussion's subject is required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

central theme of discussion

This alternative replaces "focus" with "central theme", offering a more descriptive noun phrase.

key theme in the discussion

This option is similar to central theme but replaces "central" with "key".

main subject of conversation

This alternative uses simpler vocabulary, replacing "discourse" with "conversation" and "focus" with "main subject".

primary topic of discussion

This alternative replaces "focus" with "primary topic", maintaining a similar level of formality.

underlying subject of discussion

This highlights that it can be not explicit or obvious.

core issue in the debate

This alternative is more specific, suggesting a debated topic rather than a general discussion.

crux of the matter

This alternative is more idiomatic, suggesting the most important point.

gist of the conversation

This alternative implies a summary or the most essential part of the discussion.

dominant narrative in the conversation

This focuses on discourse as a narrative, providing a slight shift in meaning.

point of emphasis in the argument

This alternative emphasizes persuasion and argumentation.

FAQs

How can I use "focus of discourse" in a sentence?

You can use "focus of discourse" to refer to the main topic or subject being discussed. For example: "The "central theme of discussion" during the conference was sustainable development."

What are some alternatives to "focus of discourse"?

Alternatives include "main subject of conversation", "primary topic of discussion", or "central theme of discussion". The best choice depends on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "focus of discourse" appropriate for informal writing?

While grammatically correct, "focus of discourse" is more suited to formal or academic writing. For informal contexts, simpler terms like "main topic" or "subject" are often more appropriate.

What's the difference between "focus of discourse" and "topic of conversation"?

"Focus of discourse" generally implies a more structured or formal discussion, while "topic of conversation" is suitable for everyday, less formal exchanges. The choice depends on the level of formality you want to convey.