focusing on the theme

USAGE SUMMARY

"focusing on the theme" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe what the main idea or subject of a sentence or paragraph is. You can use it whenever you are discussing a specific theme or topic and want to emphasize that it is the main focus of your statement. Example: In his analysis of Shakespeare's Hamlet, the critic spends the majority of his essay focusing on the theme of madness and how it is portrayed through the character of Hamlet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

It was not until the 1990s, the exhibit contends, that Turkish women artists really began focusing on the theme of women's roles and identities.

The New York Times

Fans quickly made the connection and a mash-up video shared on YouTube, with clips taken from both artists' music videos focusing on the theme of Adele giving Richie a call.

Independent

The tour, focusing on the theme "Leading With Integrity," is an effort to put distance between Mr. Lieberman and his Democratic rivals and to lift him from a pack of second-tier candidates.

The New York Times

Web 2.0 Expo a conference in NY focusing on the theme "Platforms for Growth".

TechCrunch

Focusing on the theme of direct manipulation, in this study, we proposed a new and innovative tangible user interface (TUI) design concept for a manipulative digital drawing pen.

Applied Ergonomics

On 25 30 August 2017, the 15th International Symposium on Geo-disaster Reduction has been held in Oki Islands, Matsue and Kyoto, Japan, focusing on the theme of "Global Strategy for Geo-disaster Reduction".

Geoenvironmental Disasters

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

As a programming concept, a piano recital focusing on the theme-and-variations genre may not be that novel.

The New York Times - Arts

RED BANK Art Alliance of Monmouth County "Mike Horn Memorial Award Exhibition," featuring paintings by Nina Douglas, focusing on the themes "Geometry in Art" and "Shoebox Show".

The New York Times

T.J. Proechel snapped his images while working as a Minnesota foreclosure contractor after college, focusing on the themes of "loss, identity and fraud".

Huffington Post

Team members interviewed each other about their memories from our team meetings focusing on the themes that emerged in the coding.

BMC Palliative Care

Try to focus on the theme of your paper and sum it up in one to three words.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "focusing on the theme" in academic writing, clearly define the "theme" early in your text to provide context for your readers. This establishes a clear framework for your argument or analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "focusing on the theme" without explicitly stating what the theme is. Ambiguity can confuse your audience and weaken your message. Always ensure the theme is readily identifiable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focusing on the theme" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a modifier, often introducing or describing the central subject of a discussion, event, or artistic work. Ludwig's examples show it commonly introduces the subject, especially when describing academic or artistic endeavors.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

26%

Science

26%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focusing on the theme" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce the central subject of a discussion, event, or work, as affirmed by Ludwig. It is prevalent in news, business, and scientific contexts. When employing the phrase, remember to define the theme clearly and explicitly to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "concentrating on the theme" and "centering on the theme" can be used for slight variations in meaning. Ludwig's examples illustrate the phrase's versatility and widespread applicability across diverse fields.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrating on the theme

Replaces "focusing" with its direct synonym "concentrating", which offers a very similar meaning.

centering on the theme

Highlights that the theme is the core or pivotal element.

addressing the central theme

Emphasizes the act of dealing with the theme directly, implying a problem-solving or discussion-oriented approach.

revolving around the theme

Suggests that the theme is a key element that everything else is connected to.

highlighting the main idea

Shifts the focus to the "main idea", replacing the slightly more literary term "theme".

emphasizing the thematic element

Switches from action to a more descriptive noun-based expression to foreground the importance of certain aspects.

exploring the subject matter

Indicates an investigative approach to the theme, which might imply deeper examination.

dealing with the subject

Uses broader language to describe engagement with the topic.

considering the topic

Offers a more reflective perspective on the theme.

regarding the theme

A more general phrasing.

FAQs

How can I use "focusing on the theme" in a sentence?

You can use "focusing on the theme" to introduce the main subject or idea of a discussion, analysis, or creative work. For example, "The conference is "focusing on the theme" of climate change."

What are some alternatives to "focusing on the theme"?

Some alternatives include "concentrating on the theme", "addressing the central theme", or "centering on the theme", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "focusing on the theme" or "focusing on themes"?

The choice between "focusing on the theme" and "focusing on themes" depends on whether you are discussing a single, overarching theme or multiple, distinct themes. Use "theme" for a singular focus and "themes" for multiple focuses.

What's the difference between "focusing on the theme" and "emphasizing the theme"?

"Focusing on the theme" suggests that the theme is the main subject or point of attention. "Emphasizing the theme" suggests highlighting or giving particular importance to a theme that is already present.