focus on doing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus on doing" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a command or suggestion to emphasize the need to put effort into doing something. For example, you could say, "Let's focus on doing our best work for this project," or "Focus on doing the basics first, then move on to the more complex tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just focus on doing one thing exceptionally well.

Cornell University

"Just focus on doing one thing well," Mr. Bell told them.

The New York Times

"History suggests that once a mutual bank is privatised it drops the focus on doing good to focus on doing well for shareholders.

The Guardian - Business

The engineering giant is to focus on doing these three things profitably.

The Economist

People forget about it and they just focus on doing their job.

The New York Times

I think we have to focus on doing everything the hardest we can do it.

The New York Times - Sports

You will want to focus on doing better in the categories which are more heavily weighted.

WikiHow

"It's meditative and has taught me to focus on doing one thing perfectly, and keeping composure.

The New York Times

Focus on doing one thing at a time.

WikiHow

Try and focus on doing one thing at a time and doing it extremely well.

WikiHow

Instead, focus on doing the one thing you're doing well and rightly.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When giving instructions, use "focus on doing" to clearly direct attention to the actionable steps. For example, instead of saying "consider the possibilities", say "focus on doing a thorough market analysis".

Common error

Avoid using "focus on doing" in situations where the action is too abstract or unclear. Instead of saying "focus on doing better", specify what actions need to be taken: "focus on doing practice exercises daily".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on doing" functions as a directive, urging attention and effort toward concrete action. According to Ludwig AI, it's a command or suggestion to emphasize the need to put effort into doing something. It is used to prioritize practical execution over abstract consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Academia

23%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

15%

Formal & Business

15%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focus on doing" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression that urges attention and effort toward practical action. Ludwig AI validates this, noting its function as a directive. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Wiki contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse communication settings. When using "focus on doing", ensure the action is clear and specific. Alternatives like "concentrate on action" can provide nuanced variations while keeping the same core idea. Remember, the strength of "focus on doing" lies in its ability to drive action and prioritize implementation over mere contemplation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate on action

Replaces "focus" with "concentrate" and "doing" with "action", creating a slightly more concise and direct phrasing.

prioritize taking action

Emphasizes the importance of action by using "prioritize", changing the focus from mere concentration to active prioritization.

emphasize the doing

Shifts the grammatical structure to highlight the act of doing itself, using "emphasize" instead of "focus".

stress practical application

Replaces the general term "doing" with the more specific "practical application", suitable in contexts where hands-on execution is key.

concentrate efforts on execution

Specifies that efforts should be directed towards "execution", implying a more strategic and planned approach.

dedicate attention to implementation

Implies a deeper level of commitment than simply "focusing", using "dedicate attention" and specifying "implementation".

make action a priority

This alternative uses a more assertive tone, highlighting action as the main priority.

highlight practical steps

Shifts the emphasis to the specific steps involved, making it suitable for instructional or procedural contexts.

underscore the importance of activity

Uses stronger verbs to reinforce action, emphasizing that the activity itself is important

zero in on implementation

Using "zero in" gives more of a sense of precision, directing concentration specifically toward implementation.

FAQs

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

You can use "focus on doing" to emphasize action and implementation. For instance, "Instead of just planning, let's "focus on doing" the actual work".

What are some alternatives to "focus on doing"?

Alternatives include "concentrate on action", "prioritize taking action", or "emphasize the doing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "focus on doing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "focus on doing" is grammatically correct. The verb "focus" is followed by the preposition "on" and the gerund "doing", which functions as a noun in this context.

What is the difference between "focus on doing" and "focus on thinking"?

"Focus on doing" directs attention toward taking action and implementing plans, while "focus on thinking" directs attention toward cognitive processes and contemplation. The choice depends on whether action or thought is the priority.