focussing

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'focussing' is correct and usable in written English.
It is most commonly used in the sense of directing one's attention or resources towards a particular object, goal or idea. For example: "The company is focussing its efforts on developing new products to meet customer needs."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Twin Swiss and US investigations focussing on a far-reaching culture of kickbacks in Fifa have thrown the congress in Zurich into chaos, including both the re-election bid of Fifa president Sepp Blatter and other business on the agenda including the Palestinian bid to have Israel suspended.

The Guardian

She previously worked as the gender adviser at Amnesty International UK and the senior conflict and humanitarian policy adviser at Save the Children UK focussing on the impact of conflict on children.

The Guardian

Week 10: Case Study: Sit-Com and Narrative Comedy - Wednesday 25 November An analysis of three current comedies – British and American – focussing on recurring character types and situations and what makes them funny.

The Guardian

With little doubt that Davis will win the poll, commentators are focussing on how many of the 70,100 electors turn out to vote and the size of his majority.

The Guardian

The report prudently cites good practice across the city region rather than focussing too much on Leeds itself; among other examples, it highlights Kirklees'warmrm zone' home improvements and York's long-standing park-and-ride.

The Guardian

Fahmy said he believes the judge, Hassan Farid, is focussing on technical aspects of the case, in particular whether the journalists had been working with government accreditation, and whether the network was licensed to broadcast in Egypt.

The Guardian

We have made great progress to reduce the environmental impact of our own operations and are now focussing on helping the millions of consumers who use our products every day to live more sustainable lifestyles.

The Guardian

We are focussing strongly on the programme strands that reflect key Guardian specialisms such as digital innovation and new approaches to journalism.

The Guardian

We'll be focussing on the new and deeper issues that have arisen from the work we've done so far and talking honestly about process.

The Guardian

The FRA study curtails its ambitions appropriately, discarding speeds of over 160 mph (258 kph) out of hand, and instead focussing on cheaper, more modest improvements.

The Economist

Their concern is that prolonged use of the internet with its smorgasbord of tantalising titbits of information is producing a generation of magpie minds, as users hop from one bright trinket to another, rarely focussing long enough on any one topic to comprehend it thoroughly.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "focussing" to clearly convey the act of directing attention or effort towards a specific goal or subject in both formal and informal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "focussing" interchangeably with similar-sounding words like "focus" or "focused" without considering grammatical context. "Focussing" is the present participle, requiring auxiliary verbs or functioning as a gerund.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "focussing" is as a present participle or gerund. It describes an ongoing action or serves as a noun, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

29%

Encyclopedias

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

5%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "focussing" is the present participle or gerund form of the verb 'focus', primarily used to denote the act of concentrating or directing attention. As Ludwig AI states, it is commonly used to indicate directing attention or resources. Its usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific and encyclopedic content. While "focussing" and "focusing" are both correct, "focussing" is the British English spelling. Therefore, it's important to consider your target audience and writing style when choosing between the two. Alternatives such as "concentrating" and "emphasizing" can also be used, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrating

Emphasizes sustained mental effort or attention on a specific subject.

emphasizing

Indicates placing particular importance or stress on something.

centering

Highlights bringing attention or resources to a central point or theme.

highlighting

Suggests drawing attention to a specific aspect or detail.

zeroing in on

Conveys intensely directing attention to a precise point.

prioritizing

Implies ranking tasks or concerns in order of importance.

targeting

Specifies directing efforts or resources toward a particular goal or group.

giving attention to

Describes the act of dedicating awareness or effort to a particular thing.

paying heed to

Indicates listening to and considering a specific matter.

addressing

Suggests dealing with or tackling a specific issue.

FAQs

How do I use "focussing" in a sentence?

"Focussing" typically functions as a present participle or gerund. For example, "They are "focussing on" product development" or "Focussing on key areas is crucial for success."

What are some alternatives to "focussing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "concentrating", "emphasizing", or "targeting".

Is it "focussing" or "focusing"?

"Focussing" is the British English spelling, while "focusing" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but usage depends on regional preferences.

What's the difference between "focussing" and "focused"?

"Focussing" is the present participle form, used in continuous tenses (e.g., "is focussing"). "Focused" is the past participle or adjective form (e.g., "has focused", "a focused approach").