focus on appearance

USAGE SUMMARY

"focus on appearance" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when discussing the importance of someone or something's physical appearance. For example: "When looking for a job, it is important to focus on appearance, as a professional look can be just as important as your skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

Fashion and Textiles

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Historically, women have been much more conscious about their appearance than men, but in recent times there appears to have been a change in this level of focus on appearance among men.

Fashion and Textiles

You'd have to be naive not to realise that a focus on appearance comes with the territory, whether it's Andy Marr's energetic hands or Jenny Bond's ankle jewellery.

The Guardian

"Perceptions of women leaders still have far too much of a focus on appearance, far too much a focus on family structures," she says.

The Guardian

"I'm super" was emblazoned across the blue version, while its purple counterpart read: "I hate my thighs". As they grow into toddlerhood, boys' clothes tend to be more robust and functional, with pockets and sturdy fabrics, whereas girls' attire is more flimsy and designed with a focus on appearance, not activity.

The Guardian - Opinion

As with other women in the public eye, there is disproportionate focus on appearance.

Huffington Post

But the truth is that the focus on appearance is not going away, least of all for women.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Now, we use this phrase to refer primarily to people who focus on appearances – especially when it comes to appearing well-off.

HuffPost

The former mainly focus on appearance-based measurements, whereas the latter usually consider geometric relationship cues, such as the deviation of the nose from the mid-line and the deviation between the new head pose and the original state.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

He discounted the Western focus on appearances and superficialities, which often reflected mere fashion and habit, and drew attention to the origins of culture and the unconscious and mixed motivations of people and the groups formed by them.

Wikipedia

Fortunately, this also works the other way: if you're around open and accepting people who don't focus on appearances, you'll probably feel better about yourself too.[57].[57]

WikiHow

Each interview should be prepared for in detail, practicing aloud and focusing on appearance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overusing the phrase in close proximity within your writing; vary your language with synonyms like "emphasize looks" or "prioritize aesthetics" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Be cautious of implying that a "focus on appearance" is inherently negative or shallow. Instead, acknowledge its potential relevance in specific contexts such as job interviews, public presentations, or personal well-being, where attention to grooming and presentation can be advantageous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on appearance" primarily functions as a verbal phrase, often acting as the predicate in a sentence or clause. It describes the action of giving attention or importance to the way someone or something looks. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

34%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus on appearance" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of giving special attention to how someone or something looks. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability across contexts, though it's essential to consider the implications and potential nuances in your writing. While overuse should be avoided, the phrase is a valuable tool for discussing the importance of visual presentation in various situations. The phrase sees frequent use in news and media outlets, scientific publications, and on general information wikis. Remember that while a "focus on appearance" isn't inherently negative, clarity and context are crucial to avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

emphasize looks

Replaces "focus" with "emphasize" and "appearance" with "looks", changing the specific words while maintaining the core meaning.

prioritize aesthetics

Substitutes "focus on" with "prioritize" and "appearance" with "aesthetics", indicating a formal and deliberate emphasis on visual appeal.

stress outward image

Uses "stress" instead of "focus" and "outward image" for "appearance", suggesting a concern with external perception.

value physical presentation

Replaces "focus on" with "value" and "appearance" with "physical presentation", conveying the importance placed on how someone or something looks.

highlight visual aspects

Changes "focus on" to "highlight" and "appearance" to "visual aspects", indicating a deliberate effort to make visual elements prominent.

concentrate on physical attributes

Substitutes "focus" with "concentrate" and expands "appearance" to "physical attributes", providing a more detailed description.

fixate on external features

Employs "fixate on" instead of "focus on" and "external features" for "appearance", suggesting an obsessive attention to outward characteristics.

be preoccupied with image

Replaces "focus on" with "be preoccupied with" and "appearance" with "image", indicating a deep concern or worry about one's image.

obsess over outward presentation

Uses "obsess over" instead of "focus on" and "outward presentation" for "appearance", conveying a sense of excessive worry about how one presents oneself.

place importance on visual appeal

Changes "focus on" to "place importance on" and "appearance" to "visual appeal", emphasizing the significance given to how someone or something looks.

FAQs

What does "focus on appearance" mean?

To "focus on appearance" means to give special attention or importance to how someone or something looks, including grooming, clothing, and overall physical presentation.

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

You might say, "The job interview panel will likely "focus on appearance" as well as qualifications," or "The advertisement's "focus on appearance" over substance was criticized."

What are some alternative phrases for "focus on appearance"?

Alternatives include "emphasize looks", "prioritize aesthetics", or "stress outward image" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is a "focus on appearance" always negative?

Not necessarily. While excessive concern with appearance can be viewed negatively, a reasonable "focus on appearance" can be appropriate in certain contexts, such as professional settings or when maintaining personal hygiene and well-being.