focus on maintaining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus on maintaining" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing priorities or areas of concentration, particularly in contexts related to management, health, or performance. Example: "In order to achieve long-term success, we must focus on maintaining our customer relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Robinson said his other players were overaggressive and lost focus on maintaining position.

The New York Times - Sports

If re-elected, Mr. Obama's proposals mostly focus on maintaining the status quo.

The New York Times

Jeff Holzschuh was named chairman of institutional securities to focus on maintaining crucial client relationships.

The New York Times

Conservation efforts aimed at farmland birds should therefore focus on maintaining extensive farming systems.

Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment

This applies particularly to scientists like me who focus on maintaining expertise across a broad range of areas.

The Guardian

Their children and grandchildren don't share their partisan loyalties or their singular focus on maintaining the embargo.

The Washington Post

For the coming year, Citadel is likely to focus on maintaining profitability and continuing to recruit talent.

The New York Times

Conservation activities should focus on maintaining the complexity of the forest-steppe ecosystem, with all of its integral components.

Ecological Complexity

Future research comparing modified trawl bodies should focus on maintaining similar spread ratios to minimise confounding effects.

Fisheries Research

"We continue to focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet and significant liquidity," the chairman and chief executive, Robert I. Toll, said in a statement.

The New York Times

She said she had no plans to veer from Mr. Boyer's course, and would focus on maintaining the museum's education programs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, remember that "focus on maintaining" implies a deliberate effort to preserve the current state. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being maintained and why it is important. For instance, "focus on maintaining quality" or "focus on maintaining customer relationships" provide a clear purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "focus on maintaining" without specifying what needs to be maintained. Statements like "We need to focus on maintaining" are vague. Instead, be specific: "We need to focus on maintaining our market share" or "We need to focus on maintaining a strong credit rating".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on maintaining" functions as a verbal phrase often used as part of a clause, indicating a deliberate intention or strategy. Ludwig shows its use in various contexts, from business to personal health.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "focus on maintaining" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for emphasizing the importance of preserving or continuing something. According to Ludwig, it's used across various fields, including news, science, and business. When using the phrase, it is important to clearly specify what exactly needs to be maintained to avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "concentrate on preserving" or "emphasize sustaining", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Overall, "focus on maintaining" is a versatile and useful phrase in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate on preserving

This alternative highlights the act of keeping something in its original state, putting emphasis on preventing loss or damage.

emphasize sustaining

This shifts the focus to the effort required to keep something going over time, stressing endurance and long-term support.

prioritize preserving

This alternative means to treat something as more important than other things, and to make sure that it is kept safe.

stress the importance of upkeep

This version highlights that maintaining something should be given a certain degree of attention, indicating the level of importance involved.

concentrate on upholding

This means to support or defend something. It's slightly more formal than "maintaining".

underline the necessity of conservation

This alternative emphasizes that conservation is essential and unavoidable. It is more formal than "focus on maintaining".

place emphasis on safeguarding

This alternative stresses the act of protecting something from harm or damage. It is more serious than "focus on maintaining".

underscore the value of retaining

This version emphasizes the worth of keeping something, implying that it is beneficial to hold on to it. It is more business-oriented than "focus on maintaining".

highlight the significance of preserving

This stresses the importance of preventing something from being harmed or lost. It is more urgent than "focus on maintaining".

dedicate efforts to conserving

This implies that actions are committed to keeping something safe or unchanged. It is more formal than "focus on maintaining".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "focus on maintaining" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "prioritize preserving" or "underline the necessity of conservation", depending on the specific context.

What are some common synonyms for "focus on maintaining"?

Common synonyms include "concentrate on preserving", "emphasize sustaining", and "stress the importance of upkeep".

Is it grammatically correct to use "focus on maintaining"?

Yes, "focus on maintaining" is grammatically correct. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase follows standard grammar rules and is widely used in various contexts.

What's the difference between "focus on maintaining" and "focus on improving"?

"Focus on maintaining" implies preserving the current state or quality, while "focus on improving" suggests making something better than it currently is. The choice depends on whether the goal is preservation or enhancement.