focusing attention on

USAGE SUMMARY

"focusing attention on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means directing someone's attention towards a particular subject or topic. Example: The speaker began by focusing attention on the importance of mental health in the workplace.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Also, the anthrax problem is focusing attention on powerful antibiotics and their high-profit markets.

The New York Times

The well functions as a center of gravity, focusing attention on the paper's nerve center.

The New York Times - Arts

In 1951 Kurosawa Akira's Rashomon won the Golden Lion at Venice, focusing attention on Japanese films.

Encyclopedia Britannica

TI does a good job of focusing attention on a serious problem.

The Economist

Focusing attention on the destination, we detach ourselves from the small — potentially meaningful — aspects of experience.

The New York Times

Repetition can be a useful strategy, a way of focusing attention on themes and motifs.

The New York Times

The houses are also focusing attention on where and how their children's clothing is made.

The New York Times

In this paper, we wish to revisit such analysis, focusing attention on two key points.

Journal of Computational Physics

However, it has faced a series of departures in recent months, focusing attention on its future.

The Guardian

Blackman agrees with Smith that the exercise will succeed in focusing attention on teaching.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

These include providing new contributions to knowledge, raising public awareness, and re-focusing attention on the top challenge.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair it with abstract nouns like 'problems', 'issues', 'strategies' or 'themes' to signal analytical depth.

Common error

Avoid using 'to' instead of 'on'. While you 'pay attention to' something, the act of 'focusing attention on' requires the preposition 'on' to remain idiomatic and grammatically correct.

Linguistic Context

As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase functions as a present participle phrase that acts as a modifier or a continuous verbal unit. It is typically used to narrow the scope of a discussion from a general context to a specific focal point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "focusing attention on" is a highly effective linguistic tool for directing readers toward a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in elite journalism and scientific research, where it serves to highlight critical issues ranging from environmental crises to safety regulations. It is grammatically robust and significantly more formal than its casual counterparts. When using this phrase, ensure you maintain the preposition 'on' and use it to bridge the gap between general context and specific analytical points. Its versatility across news, science and academic registers makes it an essential component of a sophisticated English vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrating on

Removes the explicit mention of attention while retaining the same cognitive focus

directing attention toward

Offers a slightly more formal and directional alternative

highlighting

Focuses on making a specific point more prominent or visible

turning the focus to

Signals a shift in perspective or a change in the topic of discussion

centering on

Implies that the subject is the core or middle point of a discussion

zeroing in on

More idiomatic and suggests a precise or narrow focus

emphasizing

Focuses on the importance or weight of the subject rather than just observation

spotlighting

A more metaphorical and dramatic way to bring something to notice

prioritizing

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examining

Shifts the meaning slightly toward a more analytical or critical review

FAQs

How do I use "focusing attention on" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a specific topic, for example: "The report is "focusing attention on" the environmental impact of plastic waste."

What can I say instead of "focusing attention on"?

Depending on your context, you might use "concentrating on", "highlighting", or "directing attention toward".

Is it "focusing attention on" or "focusing attention to"?

The correct idiomatic expression is ""focusing attention on"". Using 'to' is generally considered a mistake in this specific construction.

What is the difference between "focusing attention on" and "paying attention to"?

"paying attention to" is more passive and general, whereas "focusing attention on" implies a deliberate, active and often public effort to study or highlight a specific subject.