focus their efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focus their efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to putting a lot of attention or energy on achieving something. For example: The team is focusing their efforts on developing a new technology.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Many focus their efforts domestically; about a third work internationally.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, B2B entrepreneurs should focus their efforts on small businesses.

Harvard Business Review

Governments should focus their efforts on burden sharing and support for pressured local services.

The Guardian - Opinion

Where do you think vice-chancellors need to focus their efforts in the year ahead?

The Guardian

Most grassroots immigrant organizations focus their efforts on a single national or ethnic group.

The New York Times

Of course, coaches and athletes have long known to focus their efforts on the brain.

The New Yorker

They will now focus their efforts on the Senate, where they have more allies.

The Economist

Instead, investigators in Oakland focus their efforts on property crimes with high "solvability".

The New York Times

These experts understandably focus their efforts on the market leader, Google — another network effect, analysts say.

The New York Times - Tech

New management concepts focus their efforts on meeting the needs of those involved, especially the customer.

Procedia Engineering

Instead, people can focus their efforts on the truly novel elements of their design.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focus their efforts", ensure that the subject (who is focusing) and the object (what they are focusing on) are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "focus their efforts" when a more specific term like "resources" or "attention" would be more accurate. Vague usage weakens the impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focus their efforts" functions as a verb phrase indicating the direction of energy and resources towards a specific goal. It often appears in sentences where an organization or individual is making strategic decisions, as shown in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "focus their efforts" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the strategic allocation of energy and resources. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely employed across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. Alternatives like "concentrate their efforts" and "direct their energies" offer nuanced ways to convey similar meanings. When using the phrase, clarity in defining the subject and object is crucial. The frequency analysis shows its prevalence in news and media, scientific publications, and formal business communications, making it a valuable tool for writers in various domains. Ensure that you choose more specific terms when appropriate, for clear messaging.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate their efforts

Emphasizes a more intense and sustained focus.

direct their energies

Implies a channeling of power or resources.

channel their resources

Highlights the allocation of specific resources to achieve an aim.

dedicate their time

Focuses on the investment of time as a primary resource.

devote their attention

Stresses the allocation of mental focus and care.

prioritize their actions

Highlights the act of ranking actions based on importance to achieve goals.

aim their sights

Suggests a clear target and goal.

gear their work

Highlights the adaptation and preparation of their work for a specific outcome.

orient their approach

Emphasizes adjusting the method to align with a specific goal.

apply their minds

Suggests active intellectual engagement.

FAQs

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

You can use "focus their efforts" to indicate where a group or individual is concentrating their energy and resources. For example, "The company will focus their efforts on expanding into new markets."

What's a good alternative to "focus their efforts"?

Alternatives include "concentrate their efforts", "direct their energies", or "dedicate their time", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "focused their efforts" instead of "focus their efforts"?

Yes, both are correct, but "focused their efforts" is in the past tense, while "focus their efforts" is used to describe a current or future action or general strategy. If referring to something already completed, use "focused".

What is the difference between "focus their efforts" and "concentrate their efforts"?

While similar, "concentrate their efforts" suggests a more intense and sustained application of energy compared to "focus their efforts", which can imply a broader or more general direction of effort.