negative focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "negative focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing perspectives, attitudes, or approaches that emphasize negative aspects or outcomes. Example: "The team's negative focus on potential failures hindered their ability to see the opportunities for growth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

The male professional model has more than its fair share of vicious traps, so why all this negative focus on "sorry" for women?

The Guardian - Opinion

He abandoned Leave in February, because he said he did not like its negative focus on immigration, but now he has reportedly staged a full defection.

The Guardian

The negative focus on England's scrummaging following their World Cup exit, according to Marler, also contributed to his ban for abusing Wales's Samson Lee during the Six Nations Championship.

The Guardian - Sport

Crosby is also damaged from the election result, and could face questions about his style after the negative focus of both the 2012 mayoral contest between Boris Johnson and Ken Livingstone and the 2015 general election.

The Guardian

Tabloids began reporting about the seizure on Friday afternoon, spurring fans to tweet "#PrayForChrisBrown". Brown's reps didn't confirm the incident until Friday night, using the opportunity to criticise the media's "negative" focus on the R&B star's 2009 assault of his then girlfriend, Rihanna.

The Guardian - Music

"We live in the world our questions create," says David Cooperrider, a professor at Case Western Reserve University and a pioneer of "Appreciative Inquiry," which holds that questions focusing on strengths and using positive language are far more useful to organizations than questions with a negative focus.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"But these policies are currently under the public radar, because No 10's main messaging is too narrow and negative, focusing on trying to clamp down on immigration and continuously squeeze the welfare budget," he adds.

The Guardian

The show had its first Broadway revival in 2001, starring Faith Prince; the reviews were largely negative, focusing on the datedness of the material, and the revival closed two months after opening.

The New York Times

Studies show only 1% of the thousands of stories reported each year are about Latinos and most of that coverage is negative, focusing on crime and immigration.

Forbes

Two einzel lenses operating with a negative focusing potential are mounted on either side of the central ICD tube to continually re-focus particles within the trap.

EPJ Techniques and Instrumentation

Discussions about the 'talent pool' are often rather negative, focusing on the gap between what employers are looking for and what people are bringing in terms of qualifications, skills, abilities or experience.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether a "negative focus" is truly necessary or if a more balanced perspective could offer a more constructive analysis or solution.

Common error

Avoid dwelling solely on the "negative focus" without offering potential solutions or alternative perspectives. This can lead to reader disengagement and a sense of hopelessness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative focus" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "negative" modifies the noun "focus". Ludwig AI states it's correct and usable in written English. It describes a specific direction or emphasis of attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "negative focus" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a concentration of attention on unfavorable aspects. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English. While often found in news, scientific, and business contexts, it's important to balance a "negative focus" with constructive perspectives. Alternatives such as "pessimistic outlook" or "critical perspective" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When writing, be mindful of the potential impact of a "negative focus" and consider offering solutions or balanced viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pessimistic outlook

This alternative replaces "negative focus" with a broader term describing a generally unfavorable view.

critical perspective

This alternative shifts the emphasis from negativity to a more analytical and judgmental viewpoint.

unfavorable emphasis

This alternative replaces "focus" with "emphasis", highlighting the act of giving importance to the negative aspects.

adverse attention

This phrase suggests that the focus is creating negative reactions or scrutiny.

detrimental spotlight

Using "spotlight" emphasizes public attention on something harmful.

problem-oriented approach

This alternative concentrates on addressing problems, potentially overshadowing positive elements.

deficit-based thinking

Implies a mindset that prioritizes weaknesses or shortcomings.

downside prioritization

This focuses on giving preference to negative outcomes or risks.

challenging aspects

This alternative phrase softens the "negative" but still directs attention to difficulties.

issue-driven concern

Emphasizes that the concentration arises from specific issues and anxieties.

FAQs

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

You can use "negative focus" to describe a situation where attention is primarily directed towards unfavorable aspects. For example, "The media's negative focus on the scandal overshadowed the company's achievements."

What are some alternatives to "negative focus"?

You can use alternatives like "pessimistic outlook", "critical perspective", or "unfavorable emphasis" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use a "negative focus"?

A "negative focus" is appropriate when identifying and addressing potential risks, problems, or areas for improvement. However, it should be balanced with positive aspects to avoid creating a demoralizing effect.

What's the difference between "negative focus" and "critical analysis"?

While both involve scrutiny, "negative focus" tends to emphasize the downsides, whereas "critical analysis" aims for a balanced assessment of strengths and weaknesses.