focusing only on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "focusing only on" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the action of concentrating on a single issue or idea while ignoring all other possibilities. For example, "The professor asked us to create a report focusing only on the implications of the new policy, rather than debating its merits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The party is often mistaken for an anti-immigration party, focusing only on one political question.

Vice

Focusing only on the one you love isn't living your own life to the fullest.

WikiHow

Avoid losing the rest of your family by focusing only on the one person who cuts.

WikiHow

• The company isn't focusing only on television.

The New York Times

Casual, focusing only on my own needs and requirements, yes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Draw an object by focusing only on the negative space.

The New York Times

We are focusing only on the semi-final.

The Guardian - Sport

Focusing only on the short term leads to mediocrity.

Harvard Business Review

The government figures are not complete, focusing only on applicants who count against the annual cap.

The New York Times

"We cannot achieve gender transformative change by focusing only on health outcomes.

The Guardian

Nowadays no-platform policies have given up focusing only on the far right.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consider the potential limitations of "focusing only on" one aspect of a complex issue. Acknowledge other factors to demonstrate comprehensive understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "focusing only on" if it leads to neglecting essential related aspects. Always evaluate if a broader perspective provides a more accurate or complete understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "focusing only on" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun, indicating a deliberate restriction of attention or effort to a specific subject. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct. Examples from Ludwig show it being used to narrow the scope of analysis or action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "focusing only on" is a grammatically correct and frequently used prepositional phrase that serves to limit the scope of attention to a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is accurate and usable in written English. It's seen across diverse contexts like News & Media, Science, and Business, maintaining a neutral tone. When employing this phrase, ensure that the deliberate exclusion of other factors is well-justified and does not lead to an incomplete understanding. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "solely concentrating on" or "exclusively dedicated to" for more formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

solely concentrating on

Replaces "focusing" with "concentrating" and "only" with "solely" for emphasis.

just concentrating on

Simple alteration using "just concentrating" for a less formal tone.

exclusively dedicated to

Substitutes "focusing" with "dedicated" and "only" with "exclusively", indicating a complete commitment.

entirely centered on

Replaces "focusing" with "centered" and "only" with "entirely", suggesting the subject is the central point.

strictly limited to

Emphasizes the restriction to a specific area by using "strictly limited".

with exclusive focus on

Reorders the phrase and uses "exclusive focus" to highlight the singular attention.

specifically targeting

Replaces the idea of focusing with the action of specifically targeting something.

particularly emphasizing

Shifts the focus to a strong emphasis on a specific element.

merely highlighting

Suggests a lighter focus, simply bringing something to light without deeper analysis.

singling out

Indicates choosing one particular item or aspect from a larger group.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "focusing only on" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "exclusively dedicated to", "solely concentrating on", or "strictly limited to".

What are some alternatives to "focusing only on" that imply a broader approach?

If you want to indicate consideration of other factors, avoid using "focusing only on". Instead, use phrases like "primarily considering" or "with a particular emphasis on" to suggest a main focus without excluding other elements.

Is it always appropriate to use "focusing only on" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "focusing only on" can sometimes suggest a narrow perspective. Ensure that acknowledging the limitations of such a focused approach is included to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding. Alternatives may include indicating "primarily emphasizing" or "specifically targeting" if you wish to keep a narrower approach.

What's the difference between "focusing only on" and "primarily focusing on"?

"Focusing only on" indicates an exclusive concentration on a single subject, excluding others. "Primarily focusing on" suggests that while there's a main area of focus, other aspects are also considered, though to a lesser extent. So "primarily focusing on" is less restrictive.