holding focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "holding focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of maintaining concentration or attention on a particular task or subject. Example: "During the presentation, she was holding focus on the key points to ensure the audience understood the main message."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Actors like them because of the challenge of holding focus alone, and, of course, the ample choice of dressing rooms.

The New York Times

However, after holding focus groups, British Future found it could be more popular than critics think, should organisers get the tone and timing right.

The Guardian

He also said that improving officer morale was a key component of the new program, which he developed after meeting with hundreds of community leaders and clergy members and holding focus groups with officers and commanders.

The New York Times

The process, which took 18 months to complete, included developing an analytical tool mapping the existing distribution of sentences, holding focus groups with the public and then undertaking a detailed consultation process once the draft guideline had been produced.

The Guardian

According to one senior adviser, the Romney campaign was already holding focus groups and conducting special polling to determine the best person with whom Mr. Romney should conduct his extracurricular dalliance.

The New Yorker

Harvard law students Seanan Fong and Jiayun Ho spent two months interviewing members of the community, holding focus groups, and conducting an online survey that was completed by 191 people.

Harvard University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

They held focus groups in New Jersey.

The New York Times

I was able to hold focus.

Harvard University

We hold focus groups all the time.

Columbia University

It held focus groups and showed people prototypes of the tile interface and its live updates.

The New York Times - Tech

It has held focus groups with blacks and Hispanics to find out why they stay away.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing reports or presentations, ensure your language directly supports "holding focus" on the core message. Use strong verbs and concise phrasing to prevent reader distraction.

Common error

Avoid passive constructions when describing instances of "holding focus". Active voice clarifies who or what is maintaining focus, making your writing more direct and impactful. For example, instead of saying 'Focus was being held by the team', say 'The team was holding focus'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "holding focus" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun. It describes the act of actively maintaining concentration or attention on a particular subject or task. Ludwig provides several examples that support this function, showing its common use in academic, news, and professional contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "holding focus" is a grammatically sound and commonly used gerund phrase that describes the act of maintaining concentration or attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s correct and applicable across various contexts, ranging from News & Media to Academic and Scientific domains. While generally neutral, its usage leans towards professional settings, emphasizing the importance of concentration for achieving goals. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "maintaining concentration" or "sustaining focus", depending on the nuance desired. When using "holding focus", it's best to use active voice and direct language to maximize impact. By avoiding common pitfalls and embracing best practices, one can use the phrase most effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintaining concentration

Replaces 'focus' with 'concentration', emphasizing the act of maintaining mental effort.

keeping attention

Shifts from 'focus' to 'attention', highlighting the act of directing awareness.

sustaining focus

Uses 'sustaining' instead of 'holding', emphasizing the continuous effort to maintain focus.

remaining focused

Emphasizes the state of being focused rather than the act of holding it.

staying on track

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of maintaining focus on a goal or objective.

keeping one's eye on the ball

Employs an idiom indicating maintaining focus on the most important aspect of a task.

concentrating efforts

Focuses on channeling effort towards a specific goal.

directing attention

Highlights the act of steering focus toward a particular subject.

maintaining perspective

Emphasizes keeping a specific viewpoint or understanding.

keeping things in perspective

Uses a broader scope to express keeping overall importance on the task at hand.

FAQs

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

You can use "holding focus" to describe maintaining concentration on a particular task, idea, or goal. For example, "The key to success is "holding focus" on your objectives despite distractions."

What's a good alternative to "holding focus"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "maintaining concentration", "keeping attention", or "sustaining focus".

Is it grammatically correct to say "holding focus"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Holding focus" functions as a gerund phrase, where "holding" acts as a verb in its -ing form and "focus" is its object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

What is the difference between "holding focus" and "maintain focus"?

"Holding focus" emphasizes the act of actively keeping attention, while "maintain focus" suggests a continuous effort to preserve concentration over time. They are largely interchangeable, but the nuance depends on the context.