initially focused on

USAGE SUMMARY

"initially focused on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when describing an action that was the initial focus or concentration of effort. For example, "The company was initially focused on developing new software, but eventually decided to expand into hardware as well."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In one of those cases, he said, police initially focused on the wrong suspect.

Los Angeles Times

That search initially focused on candidates outside the company.

The New York Times

We have initially focused on the actin homolog, MreB.

Princeton University

Fridén initially focused on areas with high potential for success.

Harvard Business Review

The police initially focused on Mr. Baker as a suspect.

The New York Times

The project is initially focused on legal scholarship.

The New York Times

English health innovation policy initially focused on basic biomedical research.

Social Science & Medicine

The research, under way for three years, initially focused on using bees to help clear minefields.

The New York Times

The negotiators have initially focused on what some environmentalists call the "dirty dozen".

The New York Times - Science

They initially focused on sand flies, since the disease clustered on streets by the river.

The New York Times

Telford's team initially focused on two pilot locations – Colombia and Kenya.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "initially focused on", ensure that the subsequent shift in focus or expansion of scope is clearly articulated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject's evolution.

Common error

Avoid using "initially focused on" without explaining what the focus shifted to later. This omission can leave the reader with an incomplete picture and raise questions about the subject's current state.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initially focused on" functions as a verb phrase indicating the starting point or preliminary area of concentration for an activity, project, or investigation. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "initially focused on" is a grammatically sound and widely used verb phrase that signifies the preliminary area of concentration or starting point of an activity. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage across diverse contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding subsequent developments or shifts in focus is crucial for effective communication. While alternatives such as "primarily concentrated on" or "initially directed towards" exist, they subtly alter the nuance. Therefore, consider the specific context to achieve the desired emphasis. Overall, "initially focused on" is a versatile phrase useful in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

initially prioritized

Replaces "focused" with "prioritized", stressing the act of giving precedence to something at the beginning.

primarily concentrated on

Replaces "focused" with "concentrated", emphasizing a strong degree of attention or effort from the beginning.

initially directed towards

Substitutes "focused" with "directed", suggesting a guidance or channeling of efforts at the start.

originally geared towards

Uses "geared" instead of "focused", highlighting a preparation or adaptation for a specific purpose from the outset.

preliminarily aimed at

Substitutes "focused" with "aimed", pointing to the intended goal or objective from the beginning.

began by targeting

Replaces "initially focused on" with a verb phrase, indicating the starting point of an action or strategy.

started with an emphasis on

Highlights the "emphasis" as the initial approach, rather than directly focusing.

first addressed

Focuses on the act of "addressing" something as the initial step, suitable for problem-solving or discussions.

early emphasis was on

Inverts the structure to highlight the "emphasis" as the key initial aspect.

first gave attention to

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the act of giving initial attention to something.

FAQs

How can I use "initially focused on" in a sentence?

You can use "initially focused on" to describe the starting point of an effort, project, or investigation. For example, "The research was "initially focused on" identifying the main causes of the disease".

What are some alternatives to "initially focused on"?

Alternatives include phrases like "primarily concentrated on", "initially directed towards", or "originally geared towards", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it necessary to describe the shift in focus after using "initially focused on"?

While not always mandatory, describing the shift in focus after using "initially focused on" provides a more complete and informative narrative. It helps the audience understand the evolution or progression of the subject.

What is the difference between "initially focused on" and "primarily focused on"?

"Initially focused on" implies that the focus has changed or expanded over time, while "primarily focused on" suggests that the focus remains largely the same, although other aspects might also be considered. The key difference lies in whether there has been a shift in emphasis.