needs to be focussed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to be focussed" is correct and usable in written English, although "focused" is the more common spelling in American English.
You can use it when discussing something that requires attention or concentration on a particular aspect or issue. Example: "The project needs to be focussed on improving user experience to meet our goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If a serviceable definition of the concept of a corrupt action is to be found — and specifically, one that does not collapse into the more general notion of an immoral action — then attention needs to be focussed on the moral effects that some actions have on persons and institutions.

SEP

Given the number of candidate breast cancer susceptibility genes, any approach to their identification needs to be focussed.

Breast Cancer Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Whoever starts, everyone needs to be focused.

The New York Times

"To be effective, regulation needs to be focused".

The New York Times

This is what needs to be focused on.

The New York Times

Any training needs to be focused on that role.

The Guardian

Shannon: yes, Todd: agreed that 2.0 needs to be focused.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But it needs to be focused on soon," he added.

The New York Times

It needs to be focused and flexible to that task.

The New York Times

However, to be effective, it needs to be focused on students' experiences.

The Guardian

He said: "This is a big issue, the debate needs to be focused on objective facts.

The Guardian - Business

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider whether the American English spelling "focused" might be more appropriate for your audience, as it's the more common variant.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to be focussed" when an active construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "The project needs to be focussed on user experience", consider "We need to focus the project on user experience".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to be focussed" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating necessity or requirement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct. It's used to express that attention or effort must be directed toward a specific area or goal.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to be focussed" is grammatically correct, though less common than the spelling "focused" particularly in American English. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, emphasizing that it effectively communicates the necessity of concentrating on a specific area or goal. While versatile, it is especially frequent in news and scientific contexts. Remember that when you use the expression "needs to be focussed" you can consider other options like "should be focused" and "must be focused". Ensure clarity by specifying what requires focus and consider whether an active construction would enhance your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be focused

Replaces "needs to be" with "should be", suggesting a recommendation rather than a necessity. The spelling changes from 'focussed' to 'focused'.

must be focused

Emphasizes a stronger obligation than "needs to be", indicating a requirement. The spelling changes from 'focussed' to 'focused'.

requires focus

Shifts from a passive to an active construction, highlighting the thing that needs the focus rather than the action. The spelling changes from 'focussed' to 'focused'.

demands attention

Uses a different verb, "demands", to convey the urgency or importance of focusing. The spelling changes from 'focussed' to 'focused'.

warrants concentration

Replaces "focus" with "concentration", suggesting a deeper level of attention is required. The spelling changes from 'focussed' to 'focused'.

attention is required

Highlights the necessity of attention, using a passive voice construction.

deserves scrutiny

Suggests a need for careful and detailed examination.

should be prioritized

Indicates that focus is needed in terms of ranking or importance.

requires careful consideration

Emphasizes the need for thoughtful analysis.

is important to consider

Phrases the need for focus as something that is important for the audience to keep in mind.

FAQs

What does "needs to be focussed" mean?

The phrase "needs to be focussed" means that something requires specific attention, effort, or concentration directed towards a particular goal or aspect. It indicates a necessity for focusing on a certain area to achieve a desired outcome.

What are some alternatives to "needs to be focussed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "should be focused", "must be focused", or "requires focus". The specific choice depends on the desired emphasis and context.

Is "needs to be focussed" grammatically correct?

Yes, "needs to be focussed" is grammatically correct, although "focused" is the more common spelling in American English. Both forms are acceptable, but consistency in spelling is important within a single document.

How can I use "needs to be focussed" in a sentence?

You can use "needs to be focussed" to emphasize a requirement for concentration. For example, "The research needs to be focussed on finding a cure" or "Our efforts need to be focussed on improving customer satisfaction".