had a focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"had a focus" is an acceptable and commonly used phrase in written English.
Example sentence: "The board meeting had a focus on increasing profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I buy lots of things online and I had a focus group of one.

The New York Times

It was a small congregation that had a focus on God".

The New York Times

"You've had a focus on food and health care and education.

The New York Times - Magazine

Even Céline, a French brand, had a focus on sobriety, with black shirt, skirt and brogues in its window.

The New York Times

After the designer's ode to beauty in his signature collection, Marc by Marc Jacobs had a focus on tougher stuff.

The New York Times

Now she had a focus: to quit the character comedy and talk openly and unequivocally about feminism.

Independent

Stuart Rabinowitz, the Hofstra president, said that only a handful of universities had a focus on presidential studies.

The New York Times

House music caused a sensation elsewhere in the country, of course, but in Manchester it had a focus.

The Guardian - Music

She was reticent: she blushed when I took a picture of her, but she had a focus, level-headedness and maturity beyond her years.

Independent

When her friend the Marquis de Cuevas died, in 1961, she managed his ballet company for a few years, "so I had a focus for my energies".

The New Yorker

It appeared to me that they had a focus on defence to the detriment of other areas of their game: they now need to establish a platform.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "had a focus", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was focusing on. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "had a focus" without explicitly stating the object of the focus. For example, instead of saying "The meeting had a focus", specify "The meeting had a focus on budget cuts."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had a focus" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the direction of attention, effort, or resources. It describes a past state of concentration or prioritization, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

35%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had a focus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that signifies a past state of concentration or prioritization. As Ludwig's examples demonstrate, it's common in news, scientific, and general writing. To maximize clarity, avoid vagueness by specifying the object of the focus. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. Alternatives include "was focused on", "prioritized", and "emphasized", offering similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. While versatile, ensuring contextual clarity is key to effective usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was focused on

Changes the verb tense and voice while retaining the core meaning of concentrated attention.

concentrated on

Similar to "was focused on", but uses a different verb with the same implication of directed attention.

prioritized

Implies a ranking of importance, suggesting that something was given special attention.

emphasized

Indicates a stress or highlighting of a particular aspect or element.

paid attention to

Suggests a deliberate act of noticing and considering something.

dedicated to

Implies commitment and effort towards a specific purpose or goal.

geared towards

Indicates that something was designed or adapted for a particular purpose.

centered around

Suggests that something was organized or structured with a specific element at its core.

revolved around

Similar to "centered around", implying a central theme or element.

targeted at

Indicates that something was specifically aimed at a particular group or goal.

FAQs

What does "had a focus" mean?

The phrase "had a focus" indicates that something or someone directed their attention, efforts, or resources towards a specific goal, topic, or area. It suggests a deliberate concentration on a particular objective.

What can I say instead of "had a focus"?

You can use alternatives like "was focused on", "prioritized", or "emphasized" depending on the context.

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

You can use "had a focus" to describe the direction of attention or effort. For example, "The company had a focus on expanding its market share" or "The research had a focus on finding a cure for the disease".

Is it better to say "had a focus on" or "focused on"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "focused on" is often more concise and direct. "Had a focus on" is slightly more formal and can emphasize the deliberate nature of the concentration.