focused intently

USAGE SUMMARY

"focused intently" is grammatically correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to describe someone's intense concentration or attention on something. You can use it in a sentence in the following ways: - She was focused intently on her studies, determined to ace her exams. - The detective sat at his desk, focused intently on the evidence in front of him. - The child sat at the kitchen table, focused intently on her coloring book. - He listened intently, his gaze focused intently on the speaker's every word.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Conversations in line focused intently on the choice ahead.

The New York Times

"The U.S. focused intently on the region for that.

The New York Times

Rather, they were modern-day snackers focused intently on their just-fried, sugar-dusted doughnuts.

The New York Times

Humbled, I focused intently on some additional strokes for the rest of class.

The New York Times

She dressed carefully to conceal her limp and focused intently on books and ideas.

The Guardian - Books

I focused intently on the food sections in Mr. Howard's book, because that's where a lot of my money goes.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

If you focus intently enough on something, it will happen.

The New York Times

The younger women appeared to be focussing intently.

The New Yorker

"Yeah," Marcey said, focussing intently on her feet.

The New Yorker

Get them to empty their minds of all thoughts and focus intently on the now.

Independent

He promised to focus intently on the issue of most immediate concern to the nation, jobs.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "focused intently" to convey a sense of deep concentration and purpose. This phrase is particularly effective when describing someone's engagement with a task, idea, or object.

Common error

Avoid using "focused intently" when the action implies only a casual or brief glance. The phrase suggests a sustained and deliberate concentration, so ensure the context aligns with this meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focused intently" functions as a verb phrase where "focused" is the past participle of the verb "focus" and "intently" is an adverb modifying it. This construction describes the manner in which someone is focusing. Ludwig AI validates this structure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Arts

12%

Books

9%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focused intently" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes a state of deep concentration or attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and versatile. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Arts, and Book contexts, indicating its suitability for both formal and informal writing. While several related phrases exist, such as "concentrated deeply" or "paid close attention", each carries slightly different nuances. When using "focused intently", ensure the context aligns with a sustained and deliberate effort to avoid misrepresenting the scope of focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrated deeply

Emphasizes the depth of concentration, rather than the visual aspect of focus.

paid close attention

Highlights the act of giving attention, rather than the intensity of focus.

stared intently

Specifically refers to visual focus, which may not always be the case with "focused intently".

listened attentively

Implies focus through listening, rather than a broader sense of concentration.

worked assiduously

Focuses on the diligent effort involved, rather than the mental state of focusing.

applied oneself diligently

Highlights the act of applying effort, which is related to but not the same as intense focus.

remained absorbed

Describes a state of being engrossed, similar to being intently focused.

stayed engrossed

Describes the state of being occupied, and has a similarity to focus but implies more time.

kept attention riveted

Suggests that the attention is held by something else, rather than actively focusing.

gave undivided attention

This is an emphasis on a lack of division in attention, meaning singular focus.

FAQs

How can I use "focused intently" in a sentence?

You can use "focused intently" to describe someone's intense concentration or attention. For example, "She was "focused intently" on her studies", or "He "focused intently" on the speaker's every word".

What are some alternatives to "focused intently"?

Some alternatives include "concentrated deeply", "paid close attention", or "stared intently", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "focused intently"?

Yes, "focused intently" is grammatically correct. "Focused" is a verb in the past participle form, and "intently" is an adverb modifying the verb to describe how the action was performed.

What is the difference between "focused intently" and "focused"?

"Focused" simply means that attention was directed toward something. "Focused intently" adds the nuance of a high degree of concentration or purpose. The adverb "intently" amplifies the level of attention being paid.