focus on problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus on problem" is not correct in written English.
It should be "focus on the problem" or "focus on problems" depending on the context. Example: "In order to find a solution, we need to focus on the problem at hand."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

After that came "reform math," whose focus on problem solving and conceptual understanding has been derided by critics as the "new new math".

The New York Times

It was during this period that the Guardian interviewed Trump in a New Hampshire hotel conference room after he had addressed a non-partisan event designed to focus on "problem solving".

The Guardian

To find out, he decided to focus on "problem" families, the sort of petty criminals whose existence worried figures like Charles Dickens and William Gladstone in their day, and whose modern matches would be today's Asbo recipients.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Seeking to reshape a national political debate he finds frustratingly superficial, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg of New York is plunging into the 2012 campaign in its final weeks, creating his own "super PAC" to direct millions of dollars in donations to elect candidates from both parties who he believes will focus on problem solving.

The New York Times

Thus we focus on problem (7).

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

The Focus on Problem explained positively and the Focus on Emotion explained negatively the SWB.

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

In this first part, we focus on problems with one unique design objective.

BMC Systems Biology

So we focus on problem-solving, the reasoning and decision-making that use tools of maths".

Independent

With co-rumination, psychologists studying it say, one way for parents, and friends, to avoid the negative consequences is to focus on problem-solving, rather than on problem-dwelling, much as Ms. Gilbert's daughter and her friends did in consulting the American Girl book.

The New York Times

The new computer will focus on problems both in the earth sciences and neurosciences.

The New York Times

Why might it be important for them to focus on problems at home?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger verbs like "address", "tackle", or "resolve" to make your writing more impactful.

Common error

Avoid omitting the definite article "the" when referring to a specific problem. Saying "focus on problem" is grammatically incorrect; it should be "focus on the problem" or "focus on problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on problem" functions as a verb phrase intended to direct attention towards an issue. However, it is grammatically incomplete without an article or pluralization. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase requires correction to align with standard English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

37%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "focus on problem" appears frequently, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI suggests using "focus on the problem" when referring to a specific issue or "focus on problems" when addressing multiple issues. The phrase's intended purpose is to direct attention or effort. To enhance clarity and grammatical correctness, consider using alternatives such as "address the issue" or "tackle the problem". Ensure to always specify whether you're referring to a particular problem or problems in general. Common sources using this phrase include Science and News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

address the issue

Changes to a more direct and action-oriented verb.

concentrate on the difficulty

Uses a synonym for "focus" and specifies 'the' difficulty.

prioritize the challenge

Shifts the emphasis to ranking the problem in importance.

tackle the problem

Suggests a proactive and energetic approach to solving the problem.

target the concern

Replaces "focus" with "target", suggesting a more direct approach, and specify 'the' concern.

emphasize the problem

Shifts the focus to highlighting the importance of the problem.

deal with the matter

Suggests a more comprehensive handling of the problem.

highlight the difficulty

Similar to emphasize, but with a slightly different nuance.

look at the problem

Suggests a more exploratory approach to understanding the problem.

investigate the issue

Implies a deeper examination to uncover details.

FAQs

How do I correctly use "focus on problem" in a sentence?

The phrase "focus on problem" is generally incorrect. You should instead use "focus on the problem" when referring to a specific issue, or "focus on problems" when referring to issues in general. For example: "Let's "focus on the problem" at hand" or "The team needs to "focus on problems" related to project delays".

What are some alternatives to saying "focus on problem"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "address the issue", "concentrate on the difficulty", or "prioritize the challenge".

Is it ever correct to say "focus on problem"?

No, "focus on problem" is not grammatically correct in standard English. It's essential to include the article "the" when referring to a specific problem, or use the plural form "problems" when referring to multiple issues.

What's the difference between "focus on the problem" and "focus on problems"?

"Focus on the problem" refers to a specific issue that needs attention, while "focus on problems" refers to multiple or general issues. The choice depends on whether you're addressing a single, defined issue or a range of issues. For example: "The team needs to "focus on the problem" with the software update" (specific) versus "The committee will "focus on problems" related to public health" (general).