inordinate focus on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inordinate focus on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or disproportionate amount of attention given to a particular subject or issue. Example: "The report criticized the inordinate focus on short-term profits at the expense of long-term sustainability."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Others fear that an inordinate focus on one tool to deal with financial stability could backfire.

The New York Times

While there is often an inordinate focus on those who leave Christianity and predict its demise, what do the actual numbers say?

The Washington Post

Richard Thompson Ford ("Moving Beyond Civil Rights," Op-Ed, Oct. 28) asserts that "civil rights have barely made a dent in today's most severe and persistent social injustices" and suggests that part of the problem is an inordinate focus on "individual injuries".

The New York Times

Inordinate focus on sartorial garb for example misses the point and assumes that all women should want to dress a particular hijab-free way when what we should be trying to ensure is that the choice to do so or not is what is protected.

The Guardian - Opinion

As Duane notes, one key error was the "calorie-counting theory of weight gain," which put inordinate focus on the raw calorie counts of food, rather than the source (fat vs. protein vs. carbohydrates).

Forbes

Any number of reasons may explain the media's inordinate focus on Snowden, instead of on the issues he's raised.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Thirdly, in the domestic violence literature there seems to be an inordinate focus upon demographics.

Crime Science

Instead, she seems to be arguing that if we don't get what we want in one area, say the number of centrifuges Iran gets, we can make it up elsewhere (a super-duper inspection plan that depends on Iran's cooperation. ("It would be a mistake to focus inordinate attention on any one issue at the expense of all others").

The Washington Post

By the same token, our pedagogy needs to be diversified--once our kids no longer spend inordinate amounts of time filling out bubble tests, we can focus on project learning and relevant issues, physical activity, outdoor classes, music, etc. BPH: As we face a potential 17 million dollar shortfall, I want the District to re-vision itself.

Huffington Post

They focus on performance.

The Economist

Focus on moving on.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "inordinate focus on", ensure that the context clearly indicates why the focus is excessive or inappropriate. Provide specific examples to support your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "inordinate focus on" when the level of attention is already widely recognized as excessive. Instead, reserve the phrase for situations where the disproportionate focus might not be immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inordinate focus on" functions as a nominal phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically introduces a critique of an imbalance in attention, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples showcasing concerns about resource allocation and societal priorities.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inordinate focus on" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon way to express concern about excessive attention being given to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it suggests an imbalance or misallocation of resources. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media, often used to critique societal priorities or highlight skewed perspectives. When using this phrase, ensure that the context clearly explains why the focus is excessive and provide supporting evidence. Alternatives such as "excessive emphasis on" or "undue attention to" can be used for semantic nuance, but "inordinate focus on" offers a specific flavor of disapproval regarding the imbalance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessive emphasis on

Replaces "inordinate focus" with "excessive emphasis", highlighting the degree of importance given.

undue attention to

Substitutes "inordinate focus" with "undue attention", suggesting that the attention is unwarranted or inappropriate.

disproportionate emphasis on

Uses "disproportionate emphasis" to convey that the focus is not balanced or justified.

excessive preoccupation with

Replaces "focus" with "preoccupation", suggesting a more intense and potentially obsessive level of attention.

overemphasis on

A more concise way of expressing excessive emphasis.

unwarranted concentration on

Implies that the concentration is not justified or necessary.

exaggerated importance given to

Highlights that the importance attributed is overstated.

undue weight placed on

Focuses on the idea that too much importance or consideration is being given to something.

overblown concern with

Suggests the concern is disproportionate to the issue at hand.

excessive consideration of

Highlights that something is being considered for a prolonged time, maybe more than it actually deserves.

FAQs

How can I use "inordinate focus on" in a sentence?

You can use "inordinate focus on" to express that too much attention is being paid to something. For example, "The media's "inordinate focus on" celebrity gossip distracts from more important issues."

What are some alternatives to "inordinate focus on"?

Alternatives include "excessive emphasis on", "undue attention to", or "disproportionate emphasis on". Choose the alternative that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always negative to have an "inordinate focus on" something?

Yes, the phrase "inordinate focus on" generally carries a negative connotation, suggesting that the attention is excessive and possibly detrimental. It implies a lack of balance or perspective.

What's the difference between "inordinate focus on" and "focus on"?

"Focus on" simply means to give attention to something. "Inordinate focus on" means to give an excessive or disproportionate amount of attention to something, often to the detriment of other, potentially more important things.