keep them focused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "keep them focused" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to maintain the attention or concentration of a group or individuals on a specific task or topic. Example: "During the meeting, it's important to keep them focused on the main objectives to ensure we achieve our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We keep them focused.

The New York Times

Here's how to keep them focused.

Harvard Business Review

"We try to keep them focused on developmental skills".

The New York Times

"It's not too hard to keep them focused.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is important you try to keep them away from that, keep them focused and positive.

Independent

"You try to prepare every day, try to keep them focused every day.

The New York Times - Sports

"My job is to keep them focused on it," he said, "and I will".

The New York Times

The guides use simple commands and hand signals to keep them focused.

The New York Times - Sports

"It gives them something to look forward to, and it helps to keep them focused".

The New York Times

These recreational opportunities help keep them focused in the right direction".

The New York Times - Sports

Joe has to keep them focused, and he's done that time and time again.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use visual aids during presentations to "keep them focused" by providing a concrete focal point.

Common error

Avoid depending solely on external rewards to "keep them focused". Instead, cultivate intrinsic motivation by making tasks personally relevant and engaging. This leads to sustained attention and higher-quality work.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep them focused" primarily functions as a directive or instruction. It's used to advise or emphasize the importance of maintaining someone's attention or concentration. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

16%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep them focused" is a common and grammatically correct directive used to emphasize the importance of maintaining attention and concentration. As Ludwig AI states, it is usable in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, it also appears in Formal & Business and Scientific domains. To avoid overuse, consider alternatives such as "maintain their attention" or "sustain their concentration". When using the phrase, prioritize intrinsic motivation over external motivators to achieve sustained attentiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain their attention

This alternative uses "maintain" instead of "keep", emphasizing continuous effort to hold attention.

sustain their concentration

Replaces "focused" with "concentration", highlighting the act of maintaining mental effort.

hold their focus

Uses "hold" to suggest retaining focus, which provides a more active sense of control.

ensure their attentiveness

This alternative uses the noun "attentiveness" for a more formal tone.

preserve their concentration

Uses "preserve" to highlight the effort of maintaining existing concentration, rather than initiating it.

direct their attention

This alternative shifts the focus to guiding attention, suggesting a more proactive approach.

guide their focus

Emphasizes direction and guidance, suggesting leading someone's attention toward a specific point.

help them concentrate

Focuses on aiding the process of concentrating, changing the active role.

prevent them from being distracted

This focuses on preventing distraction as a means to maintain focus.

help them stay on task

This alternative is more specific, directly referencing staying on a given task.

FAQs

How can I use "keep them focused" in a sentence?

You can use "keep them focused" to describe efforts to maintain attention, such as: "The speaker used engaging stories to keep them focused throughout the presentation".

What can I say instead of "keep them focused"?

You can use alternatives like "maintain their attention", "sustain their concentration", or "hold their focus" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "keep them focused" or "maintain their focus"?

Both "keep them focused" and "maintain their focus" are grammatically correct and widely used. The choice often depends on stylistic preference, with "maintain" suggesting a more sustained effort.

What are some strategies to "keep them focused" during long meetings?

Strategies include taking short breaks, using interactive elements, and ensuring the agenda is clear and concise to "guide their focus" on key topics.