focus of inquiry

USAGE SUMMARY

"focus of inquiry" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to a topic or subject that is being questioned or investigated. For example: "The focus of inquiry has shifted from my client's alleged wrongdoing to the prosecutor's misconduct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

His return to his congressional seat shifts the focus of inquiry away from the president's office.

The Economist

The relationship of psychological recovery with perceived social support was also the focus of inquiry.

Asian Journal of Psychiatry

In characteristic McIlvanney fashion, they themselves become the real focus of inquiry.

The Guardian - Books

Cuteness is culturally specific, and that itself has become a rich focus of inquiry.

The Guardian

Instead of taking the fact for granted, he turned it into a focus of inquiry.

The Guardian

Communications geography is a recent focus of inquiry drawing on geographers with backgrounds in transportation, urban social behavioral, social impacts, cartography, as well as place and landscape representation.

International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Twice, the child was the focus of inquiries by the Administration for Children's Services.

The New York Times

It continues to be a focus of inquiries, and some crucial questions will not be answerable until the blowout preventer is recovered from the sea.

The New York Times

The F.B.I.'s handling of the long-held suspicions surrounding Mr. Smith and Ms. Leung and whether it moved aggressively enough to head off the problem will be a major focus of inquiries by the bureau and the Justice Department, officials said.

The New York Times

By contrast with the limited focus of the inquiry, the question of whether these practices breach the law is without precedent in its breadth.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Metropolitan police said Operation Grange would now only focus on a "small number of focused lines of inquiry that have allowed them to reduce the size of the Home Office funded team".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “focus of inquiry” when aiming for a formal or academic tone. In more casual settings, simpler terms like “subject of investigation” or “topic” might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "focus of inquiry" in very informal or conversational settings. It can sound overly formal and stilted. Simpler phrases are usually better in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus of inquiry" functions as a noun phrase that identifies the central point, subject, or area that an investigation or examination is directed towards. As Ludwig AI suggests, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Academia

6%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus of inquiry" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun phrase that identifies the central subject of an investigation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for formal contexts like academic, scientific, and journalistic writing. The phrase is most commonly found in scientific publications, news articles, and encyclopedia entries. When aiming for a more casual tone, alternatives like "subject of investigation" or "topic of inquiry" may be more suitable. Remember to use "focus of inquiry" when you want to emphasize the central point or subject that is being questioned or investigated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

subject of investigation

Emphasizes the investigative aspect, highlighting the central topic being examined.

topic of investigation

Focuses on the subject matter under scrutiny during the investigation.

point of investigation

Highlights a specific detail or area being examined during investigation.

area of investigation

Refers to a broader scope within the investigation's boundaries.

matter under investigation

Refers to a specific issue or concern that is being actively investigated.

subject of scrutiny

Focuses more on a detailed and critical examination of something.

central question

Highlights the primary question that the investigation aims to answer.

key area of study

Highlights areas that are important within a research.

primary concern

Highlights the most important concern of a study.

main research question

Refers to the key question that the research aims to explore.

FAQs

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

You can use "focus of inquiry" to indicate the main subject being investigated. For example, "The "focus of inquiry" shifted to the financial records after the initial interviews."

What is a good alternative to "focus of inquiry"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "subject of investigation", "topic of inquiry", or "area of study".

Is "focus of inquiry" formal or informal?

"Focus of inquiry" is generally considered a formal phrase, best suited for academic, professional, or journalistic contexts. In casual conversation, simpler terms may be more appropriate.

What is the difference between "focus of inquiry" and "target of inquiry"?

"Focus of inquiry" refers to the main subject or area being investigated, while "target of inquiry" often refers to a specific person, group, or item that is the subject of the investigation.