please focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"please focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when asking someone to give their full attention to a task or when suggesting that someone needs to be more attentive to a given situation. For example, "Please focus - we need to come up with a strategy to increase our sales this quarter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

"Let's please focus".

The Guardian

Can we please focus on important issues that Narnians care about, like defeating radical Aslanic terrorism?

The New Yorker

But please focus for a moment, as I am, on selling drugs.

The New York Times

And now that that's out of the way, can we please focus on what really matters here?

The New York Times

Please focus on the most important points that you want to convey.

Stanford University

Will the federal government please focus on the economy rather than on passing laws that have multiple negative and unintended consequences?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

Please just focus on the production side at the moment".

The Guardian

Instead of trying to please everyone, focus your efforts on a small amount of possible clients.

Huffington Post

In celebration of Black History Month, the Manuscripts Division is pleased to focus on two African American photograph albums.

Princeton University

Please stay focused on your key priorities, whether it's a technical product roadmap, serving our advertiser or publisher customers, or connecting with users of our services.

TechCrunch

Your speech was wonderful, but please stay focused on helping those grassroots Africans who are already taking steps to make a difference.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "please focus" when you need to redirect attention back to the main subject, especially in group settings or when discussions are veering off-topic. It's a polite and direct way to emphasize the importance of the current issue.

Common error

Avoid using "please focus" too frequently in casual conversations as it can sound overly formal or condescending. Opt for more relaxed alternatives like "let's get back to the point" or "anyway".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please focus" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to direct their attention towards a specific subject or task. Ludwig AI confirms its direct and action-oriented nature.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Academia

24%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Formal & Business

9%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "please focus" is a commonly used imperative phrase that serves to redirect attention and emphasize the importance of concentrating on a specific topic. As Ludwig AI points out, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, primarily within News & Media, Academia, and Science. While "please focus" is effective for maintaining productivity, it's essential to consider the setting, as overuse in informal environments may come across as overly formal. Alternatives such as "pay attention please" or "let's focus here" offer more relaxed options when appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

concentrate please

Replaces "focus" with "concentrate", emphasizing mental effort.

pay attention please

Uses "pay attention" instead of "focus", directly asking for attentiveness.

focus your attention

Adds "your attention" for emphasis and clarity.

let's focus here

Suggests a collective effort to concentrate.

stay focused

Implies maintaining concentration over time.

keep your focus

Encourages maintaining current concentration.

direct your attention

Formal alternative, suggesting a guided shift in focus.

can we focus

Asks if focusing is possible or agreeable.

let's get focused

Suggests preparing for a period of intense concentration.

try to concentrate

Suggests an attempt to focus, acknowledging potential difficulty.

FAQs

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

You can use "please focus" to politely redirect attention, as in "Please focus, we have a deadline to meet" or "Can we please focus on the agenda at hand?".

What are some alternative phrases for "please focus"?

Alternatives include "pay attention please", "let's focus here", or "concentrate please" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "please focus" appropriate for all situations?

While generally acceptable, "please focus" might sound too formal in casual conversations. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "hey, listen up" or simply restating the topic.

What's the difference between "please focus" and "stay focused"?

"Please focus" is typically used to redirect attention back to a topic, while "stay focused" encourages maintaining concentration over a period of time. For example, "Please focus, we only have 10 minutes left" versus "Stay focused on your goals".