focused their efforts

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focused their efforts" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe when someone has put their time and energy into something, usually with a specific goal in mind. For example: "The team focused their efforts on finding a solution to the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The scientists focused their efforts on the better preserved of the two skeletons.

The Guardian

This year, they have focused their efforts on acquiring a space for the museum.

The New York Times

Instead, Ms. Bentley said, the Ferreros focused their efforts on cleaning and decluttering.

The New York Times

He says his fighters have focused their efforts on rebels, not civilians.

The New York Times

In the face of O'Connor's intransigence, Souter and Breyer focused their efforts instead on Kennedy.

The New York Times - Magazine

Instead, during this period executives focused their efforts on building companies intended to last.

The New York Times

Historically, such groups have focused their efforts on recruiting large employers to a region.

The New York Times

Local organisers focused their efforts on Laramie after the legislature repeatedly rejected anti-discrimination bills, most recently early this year.

The Guardian

"Until now, governments have focused their efforts and resources on family maltreatment rather than bullying," said Wolke.

The Guardian

Thus the anti-tobacco groups have focused their efforts to ban a less-established and less well-funded alternative: vaping.

The Guardian - Opinion

Prosecutors focused their efforts today on demonstrating that Mr. Littleton had not actually confessed but had been tricked by his former wife when she was cooperating with investigators.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "focused their efforts" to clearly communicate the allocation of resources or attention towards a specific objective. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "focused their efforts" as a filler phrase. Ensure it accurately reflects a deliberate and concentrated approach, rather than a general intention. Be specific about what the efforts were directed towards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focused their efforts" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the direction of energy, resources, or attention toward a particular goal or task. It highlights a deliberate and concentrated approach as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focused their efforts" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express the act of concentrating resources or attention toward a specific goal. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general communication. While alternatives like "concentrated their energy" or "devoted their attention" exist, "focused their efforts" remains a reliable and clear choice for conveying directed action. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a deliberate approach and avoid vagueness for optimal impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrated their energy

Emphasizes the channeling of energy, rather than a broader effort.

devoted their attention

Highlights the dedication of attention, suggesting a more mindful approach.

channeled their resources

Specifically refers to the allocation of resources, often financial or material.

directed their energies

Focuses on guiding energies, implying a sense of leadership or management.

applied their skills

Highlights the application of specific skills towards a task.

invested their time

Focuses on the commitment of time, emphasizing duration and persistence.

dedicated their time

Emphasizes the act of setting aside time for a specific purpose.

aimed their sights

Implies setting a specific target or goal, with a sense of precision.

prioritized their actions

Highlights the act of ranking actions based on importance.

geared their endeavors

Suggests preparing and adjusting efforts for a particular purpose.

FAQs

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

You can use "focused their efforts" to describe how a group or individual concentrated their resources on achieving a specific goal. For example, "The researchers "focused their efforts" on finding a cure for the disease".

What are some alternatives to "focused their efforts"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "concentrated their energy", "devoted their attention", or "channeled their resources".

Is it better to say "focused their efforts on" or "focused their efforts in"?

"Focused their efforts on" is generally preferred as it directly indicates the target or goal of the efforts. "Focused their efforts in" can be used when referring to a specific area or field.

What's the difference between "focused their efforts" and "targeted their efforts"?

"Focused their efforts" implies a broader concentration of resources, while "targeted their efforts" suggests a more precise and specific aim. Targeting implies aiming at a defined objective.