grave focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a serious or intense concentration on a particular subject or issue. Example: "The team approached the project with grave focus, understanding the importance of their work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

So we chose United for All Ages, emphasising the "cradle to grave" focus of our work.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

- c. 3500 B.C. Frescoes of dancing shamans holding mushrooms in the presence of white cattle are painted on the rock surfaces of the Tassili Plateau in Southern Algeria. - c. 1100-400 B.C. Eleusinian Mystery rites using ergotized rye (Wasson) or psilocybian mushrooms (Graves) focus the mystical aspirations of the Ancient World.

Vice

But their faces are grave and focused during ballet lessons in the storied Vaganova tradition, imported to Brooklyn, along with most of the teachers, from Russia.

The New York Times

Her story is one of endurance and martyrdom, and Bellocchio treats her with grave courtesy, focussing on her battered face as she is subjected to years of beatings in the asylum, and on her drive to escape.

The New Yorker

But it would be a grave mistake to focus on Volkswagen in isolation.

The Guardian - Opinion

The epitaph reveals that the poet whose grave is the focus of the poem was unknown and obscure.

Wikipedia

"A tent has been erected which covers more than the specific grave we are focusing on.

Independent

In 1921, Lenin told Anatoly Lunacharsky, the cultural commissar, to "lay all the theatres in the grave"—to destroy them and focus on the urgent needs of the workers and the peasants: literacy, food, medicine.

The New Yorker

In the so-called Ogden memo of 2009, the Justice Department advised its lawyers to leave small-beer marijuana enforcement to the states and focus on graver crimes.But then, last year, the administration issued the Cole memo (these things are named after the deputy attorneys-general who draft them).

The Economist

But his focus in this grave case was not only self-serving, it was shamelessly distorted.

The New York Times - Sports

In 1921, Lenin told Anatoly Lunacharsky, the cultural commissar, to "lay all the theatres in the grave" — to destroy them — and focus on the urgent needs of the workers and the peasants: literacy, food, medicine.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grave focus" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and importance of concentrating on a particular issue or task. It suggests a weighty and significant matter requiring careful attention.

Common error

Avoid using "grave focus" in casual or lighthearted conversations. Its formal tone can seem out of place and overly dramatic in less serious settings. Opt for alternatives like "strong focus" or "close attention" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave focus" functions as a noun phrase where "grave" modifies the noun "focus". This phrase typically describes a state of serious and intense concentration on a particular subject or task. Ludwig confirms its correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave focus" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe a serious and intense concentration on a specific subject or issue. As Ludwig confirms, it is most appropriate for formal contexts such as news reports, academic papers, and professional communications where a tone of significance and deliberation is fitting. While "grave focus" may not be suitable for casual conversation, understanding its proper usage can help you convey the weight and importance of a topic effectively. Related phrases like "serious concentration" or "intense concentration" can offer alternatives, but the selection depends on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious concentration

Replaces the adjective "grave" with "serious" maintaining a similar meaning.

intense concentration

Uses "intense" instead of "grave" to describe the concentration.

earnest attention

Substitutes "focus" with "attention" and "grave" with "earnest" implying sincerity and seriousness.

solemn consideration

Replaces both words with synonyms that emphasize the thoughtful and serious nature.

profound focus

Uses "profound" as an adjective, suggesting a deep and significant focus.

deep concentration

Emphasizes the depth of the concentration, similar to "grave focus".

significant attention

Highlights the importance of the attention being given.

marked focus

Indicates that the focus is noticeable and distinct.

considerable attention

Implies that a large amount of attention is being given.

weighty focus

Suggests that the focus is on something of considerable importance and seriousness.

FAQs

How can I use "grave focus" in a sentence?

You can use "grave focus" to describe a situation where someone is concentrating intently on something serious. For example, "The team approached the project with "grave focus", understanding the importance of their work."

What can I say instead of "grave focus"?

You can use alternatives like "serious concentration", "intense concentration", or "earnest attention" depending on the context.

Is "grave focus" appropriate for casual conversation?

No, "grave focus" is generally too formal for casual conversation. It's better suited for more serious or professional contexts. In informal settings, consider using phrases like "close attention" or "strong focus".

When is it best to use "grave focus"?

It is best to use "grave focus" when you want to emphasize the seriousness and importance of the matter at hand. It suggests that the subject requires careful and deliberate consideration.