focusing merely on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focusing merely on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize that attention is being directed only at a specific aspect or element, without considering other factors. Example: "The report is focusing merely on the financial aspects of the project, ignoring the social implications."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Yet when the surveillance system has jumped outside of the realm of "terror suspects" and is now watching all of us, all of the time, it is clear that focusing merely on this one segment misses the broader point.

HuffPost

Rather than the regular interactions between investors and senior management in companies focusing merely on financial performance indicators, topics of particular concern to responsible investors could be raised.

The Guardian

The half-immersion method could be used in the research focusing merely on corroded steel bars as it led to serious non-uniform corrosion but less severe expansive cracking.

Construction and Building Materials

There was a sense that the worst might be over and that the European Union could start to think again about how to develop its role on the world stage, rather than focusing merely on a fight for survival.

Encyclopedia Britannica

WHO has thus criticized the shift from gasoline to diesel vehicles commended by the IPCC focusing merely on alleged CO2 emission reductions[81].

Environmental Sciences Europe

Returning to the question of the afterlife, if you think that some good afterlife is possible, one should hope for the long-term flourishing of the villagers in both this life and the next rather than focusing merely on the value of their present position.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Against Lewis's proposal one could hold that it seems arbitrary to focus merely on the support single elements of a set receive from the rest of the set (cf. Bovens and Olsson 2000).

SEP

However, most published treatments so far have focused merely on this technique's ability to produce low-cost, high quality representations, with one or two also suggesting new opportunities for citizen science.

Journal of Archaeological Science

They focus merely on tax cuts and slashing red tape.

The Economist

But once again, a lot of this discussion focuses merely on the upper echelons of society.

Independent

You focused merely on the personalities of those who want to be our next governor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "focusing merely on" to introduce a specific, limited scope within a broader topic, creating a clear boundary for the discussion. This can help to make information more manageable and avoid vagueness.

Common error

Avoid using "focusing merely on" when a comprehensive analysis is required. Over-reliance on this phrase can lead to incomplete assessments and missed opportunities for a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focusing merely on" functions as a verb phrase, specifically a gerund phrase acting as a modifier. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a limited scope of attention or effort, often implying that other aspects are being overlooked. This construction is frequently used to critique or highlight the narrowness of a particular perspective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focusing merely on" is a versatile phrase used to express a limited or narrow scope of attention. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and academic writing. While it is a common phrase, it is important to be mindful of the implication of neglecting other factors when using it. Alternatives such as "concentrating solely on" or "emphasizing exclusively on" can be used to convey similar meanings, but it is important to select the most appropriate option based on the specific context. When used judiciously, it can serve as a valuable tool for highlighting the limitations of a particular perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrating solely on

Emphasizes that attention is given to only one thing, excluding all others.

emphasizing exclusively on

Highlights a single aspect with the exclusion of any others, placing a strong importance on that specific point.

strictly limiting attention to

Indicates a rigid and narrow focus, excluding anything beyond a defined boundary.

just considering

Implies a simplified perspective that could be overlooking important details by not considering other options.

only addressing

Highlights an exclusive focus on a specific point.

dedicating attention exclusively to

Signifies an absolute focus towards an element.

centering primarily around

Suggests that the main topic or area of interest is a particular thing, possibly neglecting other surrounding elements.

mainly concerned with

It shows the main element the user is worried about.

solely absorbed in

It presents an action of being drown by something, therefore not perceiving other elements.

fixated solely upon

It describes someone who is very focused on a specific aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "focusing merely on" in a sentence?

The phrase "focusing merely on" is used to indicate that attention is being directed almost exclusively towards a single aspect of a larger issue, potentially neglecting other important considerations. For example: "The study is "focusing merely on" the economic impact, ignoring the environmental consequences".

What are some alternatives to "focusing merely on"?

Alternatives to "focusing merely on" include "concentrating solely on", "emphasizing exclusively on", or "strictly limiting attention to". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "focusing merely on"?

It's appropriate to use "focusing merely on" when you want to acknowledge that a discussion or analysis is deliberately limited in scope. Be aware that using this phrase may imply that the limited focus is a drawback or a strategic decision.

What's the difference between "focusing merely on" and "focusing solely on"?

"Focusing merely on" and "focusing solely on" are very similar, but "merely" suggests that the limited focus might be inadequate or insufficient, while "solely" simply emphasizes the exclusivity of the focus. While "focusing solely on" is useful, it doesn't always imply something is missing as the first option does.