losing focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"losing focus" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something losing their attention, or failing to stay focused on something. For example, "I started to lose focus in the middle of the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Losing focus on how you all work together can make the difficult moments seem worse than they really are.

TechCrunch

It kept her from losing focus, she told him.

The New Yorker

Stéphan is wary of the risk of losing focus.

The Guardian - Sport

"But I found myself losing focus," he said.

The New York Times - Style

The entire debate swills back and forth, losing focus.

The Guardian

He doesn't, instead losing focus and ending up with a meandering, indecisive film.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"You've lost focus.

The New York Times

The Army lost focus.

The New Yorker

Occasionally the food loses focus.

The New York Times - Food

"They lost focus".

The New York Times

He loses focus".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a gradual decline in focus, consider using adverbs like "increasingly" or "gradually" before "losing focus" to emphasize the progressive nature of the shift.

Common error

Avoid using "losing focus" when the situation involves a complete lack of initial focus. "Never having focus" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "losing focus" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun in a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It can act as the subject, object, or part of a prepositional phrase, indicating an action in progress.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "losing focus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the process of becoming less attentive or concentrated. According to Ludwig, it is appropriate across various registers, from news articles to everyday conversations. When using the phrase, consider the context to ensure it accurately conveys the intended meaning of declining attention. Remember, Ludwig’s examples demonstrate its versatility and widespread acceptance in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

losing concentration

This alternative is a close synonym focusing on the inability to concentrate.

becoming unfocused

This suggests a lack of clarity and direction in one's attention.

becoming distracted

This alternative describes the process of having one's attention diverted.

wandering attention

This alternative refers specifically to the movement or drift of attention away from a subject.

attention flagging

This alternative suggests a decrease in the strength or intensity of attention.

drifting off

This alternative suggests a gradual loss of attention, often implying sleepiness or boredom.

becoming inattentive

This alternative indicates a general state of not paying attention.

having attention diverted

This alternative describes an external force causing one's focus to shift.

lapsing into abstraction

This alternative emphasizes a shift towards abstract thought and away from the present moment.

mind wandering

This alternative describes the involuntary movement of one's thoughts away from the current task.

FAQs

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

You can use "losing focus" to describe someone's inability to maintain attention, like: "He started "losing focus" during the long lecture."

What's a good way to describe someone who is "losing focus"?

Consider using alternatives such as "becoming distracted", "wandering attention", or "losing concentration".

Is it correct to say "loss focus" instead of "losing focus"?

While "loss focus" might be understood, ""losing focus"" is the grammatically correct and more common way to express the idea of a decline in concentration.

What is the difference between "losing focus" and "lost focus"?

"Losing focus" describes an ongoing process of becoming less attentive, while "lost focus" implies that the state of inattention has already been reached.