focus their attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus their attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of concentrating or directing one's mental effort towards a specific task or subject. Example: "In order to improve productivity, employees need to focus their attention on the most important tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most successful people also have a phenomenal ability to consciously focus their attention.

The New York Times

Patients are forced to focus their attention on battling for benefits.

The New York Times

On the positive side, this pressure encourages organisations to focus their attention on the results.

The Guardian

Students of famine necessarily focus their attention on the bad news story, where starvation recurs.

The Guardian - Books

Many newly minted millionaires feel poor because they focus their attention on wealthier multimillionaires.

The New Yorker

But they have no way of knowing where to focus their attention.

The New York Times - Magazine

Music-theatre fans focus their attention on Cooperstown's Glimmerglass Festival (July 7-Aug. 25).

The New Yorker

Quayle's Republican opponents should drop this silly business immediately and focus their attention on serious matters.

The New York Times

Inside that space, players, like theatergoers, can choose where to focus their attention.

The New York Times - Arts

"Second," he said, "it would induce companies to focus their attention on vaccines that would benefit society the most".

The New York Times

What editors focus their attention on — what they bend and crimp the other elements around — transforms accordingly.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing others, be specific about where they should "focus their attention". Vague instructions can lead to misinterpretations and wasted effort.

Common error

Instead of saying "Attention should be focused on..." use the active voice: "They should "focus their attention" on...". The active voice is more direct and engaging.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus their attention" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of directing cognitive resources or mental effort toward a specific target. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focus their attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that directs cognitive effort. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and broad applicability. It appears most commonly in news and media, scientific research, and formal business communications. When using this phrase, be specific about the target of attention and consider using the active voice for clarity. Alternatives like "direct their attention" or "concentrate their efforts" can add nuance depending on the context. Overall, "focus their attention" is a versatile and effective way to guide or instruct others on where to concentrate their efforts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

direct their attention

Emphasizes guidance or leadership in where attention is placed.

concentrate their efforts

Shifts focus to the energy expended rather than just the mental focus.

turn their attention

Suggests a redirection from a previous point of focus.

apply their minds

More formal, emphasizing intellectual engagement.

zero in on

More colloquial, suggesting a precise and narrow focus.

dedicate their focus

Implies a commitment or assignment of attentional resources.

give their attention to

Highlights the act of providing or offering attention.

center their thinking

Focuses on the organization of thoughts rather than outward actions.

fixate on

Suggests a possibly obsessive or unhealthy level of concentration.

pay heed to

Implies an act of listening and understanding before focusing.

FAQs

How can I use "focus their attention" in a sentence?

You can use "focus their attention" to indicate where someone should concentrate their mental efforts. For example, "The report suggests federal research agencies should "focus their attention" on specific areas".

What does it mean to "focus their attention"?

"Focus their attention" means to direct one's mental effort or concentration towards a particular subject, task, or goal. It implies a conscious effort to concentrate and avoid distractions.

What are some alternatives to "focus their attention"?

Alternatives include "direct their attention", "concentrate their efforts", or "turn their attention", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "focused their attention" or "focus their attention"?

The correct tense depends on the context. "Focus their attention" is used in the present or future tense, while "focused their attention" is used in the past tense. For example, "They should "focus their attention" now" versus "They previously "focused their attention" elsewhere".