focusing on that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focusing on that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when directing attention to a specific topic or issue that has been previously mentioned. Example: "In our discussion about climate change, I want to emphasize the importance of focusing on that aspect of renewable energy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everyone has ended up ignoring the issue Benedict was talking about and focusing on that one word.

The Guardian - Film

"We are focusing on that".

The Guardian - Tech

"Now, they're focusing on that".

The New York Times

So they are rightly focusing on that".

The New York Times - Tech

"Maybe we made an error not focusing on that".

The New York Times

So why is Fox not focusing on that argument alone?

The Guardian - Opinion

The board is finally focusing on that problem.

The New York Times

It goes back to caring what you do and focusing on that".

The Guardian

We're not focusing on that [the title race] at the moment.

The Guardian - Sport

It's not focusing on that now, but I'm looking at what could happen in the future".

The Guardian - Sport

"The stake is to win the elections, so our talks are focusing on that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focusing on that", ensure the "that" clearly refers to a previously mentioned subject to avoid ambiguity. Using specific nouns instead of "that" is helpful to remove all ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "focusing on that" when the context doesn't make it immediately obvious what "that" refers to. Provide a clear antecedent or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focusing on that" functions as a present participle phrase often used as part of a verb phrase. It indicates an ongoing action or state of concentrating on a specific subject. This phrase can act as a verbal, modifying a noun or verb. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focusing on that" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression for directing attention to a previously mentioned subject. With a neutral register, it appears frequently in news, academic, and business contexts. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase’s acceptability, also providing insightful examples of its usage across diverse sources. When using this phrase, clarity is key: ensure "that" refers unambiguously to a known subject. Consider alternatives like "concentrating on that" or "emphasizing that" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrating on that

Uses "concentrating", implying a sustained and dedicated mental effort.

emphasizing that

Changes the verb to "emphasizing", suggesting a stronger degree of highlighting or stressing the importance of something.

stressing that

Similar to emphasizing, this variation highlights the significance of the matter.

underscoring that

Similar to emphasizing but suggests reinforcing something already known.

highlighting that

Implies drawing attention to a specific aspect or detail.

prioritizing that

Indicates giving something precedence over other concerns.

zeroing in on that

Suggests a precise and targeted focus.

attending to that

Implies giving care and attention to something.

addressing that

Focuses on dealing with or resolving something.

tackling that

Implies actively working to overcome a challenge or problem.

FAQs

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

You can use "focusing on that" to direct attention to a specific topic or issue previously mentioned. For example, "We discussed several problems, but we are "focusing on that" which requires immediate attention".

What are some alternatives to "focusing on that"?

You can use alternatives like "concentrating on that", "emphasizing that", or "highlighting that" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "focusing on that issue" instead of "focusing on that"?

While "focusing on that" is grammatically correct, specifying the issue can provide clarity. Saying "focusing on that issue" is more explicit and can prevent misunderstanding if the context is unclear.

What's the difference between "focusing on that" and "focusing on this"?

"Focusing on that" typically refers to something previously discussed or mentioned, while "focusing on this" usually refers to something about to be discussed or currently being presented. The choice depends on whether the reference is backward or forward-looking.