focus on the person

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus on the person" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when emphasizing the importance of considering an individual's feelings, needs, or perspectives in a discussion or situation. Example: "In our discussions, it's essential to focus on the person and understand their unique experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, that said, he chose black backgrounds over white ones, to focus on the person, not the injury.

The New York Times

For one thing, it makes people focus on the person dying- the donor.

HuffPost

For one thing, it makes people focus on the person dying-  the donor.

Huffington Post

Focus on the person at hand and her individual personality.

WikiHow

We are taught to focus on the person in the next cell, not the one who has the keys.

HuffPost

Try and make the background one continuous colour to avoid distraction and to keep focus on the person you are photographing.

The Guardian - Arts

The most successful leaders know how to combine qualities: 13percentt of leaders focus on the person behind the data — the leader drives results and remains personable, and this boosts employee engagement.

Forbes

Learn how to focus on the person and less on the 'stuff' while supporting the loved one to accept help in the face of a complex challenge; understand ways to support the emotional and physical challenges when faced with extreme clutter; and creative ways to help when finances are tight or someone refuses help.

University of California, Berkeley

– Steph Gray Recruitment should focus on the person not the skills: "Put the human first (their story, their passion, their personality and their motivation) and then their technological skills.

The Guardian

Ian Kerner, a sex and relationship expert and best-selling author of She Comes First, told the Huffington Post: "Smartphones make it harder to focus on the person you're on a date with and have a genuine one-to-one experience".

Huffington Post

"Our approach is to focus on the person, rather than the organisation.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advocating for person-centered approaches in healthcare or social work, use "focus on the person" to emphasize holistic care rather than solely addressing symptoms or problems.

Common error

Avoid using "focus on the person" to justify inappropriate personal questions or over-involvement in professional settings; maintain a respectful and ethical boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus on the person" functions primarily as a directive or guiding principle, especially within contexts such as healthcare, social work, and interpersonal communication. As highlighted by Ludwig, it underscores the importance of centering attention and efforts on the individual.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focus on the person" is a directive phrase advocating for a human-centered approach across various fields. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When writing, it's important to use this phrase to highlight empathy and individual needs while avoiding inappropriate personal over-involvement. Consider alternatives like "center on the individual" for formal settings. Keep in mind the importance of understanding an individual's perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus on the individual

Replaces "person" with "individual", a synonym with a slightly more formal tone.

spotlight on the person

Uses a different metaphor to convey emphasis, highlighting the individual.

emphasis on the person

Substitutes "focus" with "emphasis", highlighting importance.

concentrate on the person

Suggests a more intense and sustained level of attention.

orientation on the person

Indicates a directional focus or prioritization toward the individual.

center on the person

Implies placing the person at the core or heart of the matter.

consider the person

Shifts the focus to thoughtful deliberation about the individual.

prioritize the person

Emphasizes the act of giving the person precedence or importance.

attend to the person

Suggests providing care, assistance, or active listening.

value the person

Highlights the importance of appreciating and respecting the individual's worth.

FAQs

How can I use "focus on the person" in a sentence?

You can use "focus on the person" to emphasize prioritizing individual needs and perspectives, such as, "The training program teaches caregivers to "focus on the person" rather than just the illness".

What are some alternatives to "focus on the person"?

Alternatives include "center on the individual", "emphasize the person", or "consider the person", each with slightly different nuances.

In a professional setting, is "focus on the person" too informal?

While generally acceptable, using a more formal alternative like "prioritize the individual" might be preferable in highly formal or business contexts.

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

"Focus on the person" emphasizes understanding an individual's perspective and needs, while "focus on the problem" directs attention to resolving a specific issue, often neglecting the individual's experience.