refocus

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'refocus' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of returning your attention and thoughts to a particular topic or idea. For example: "I needed to refocus my energy on my upcoming project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

With worsening levels of inequality and soaring population growth across Africa, Kaberuka calls on the biggest lenders to African countries to refocus their efforts on providing services and opportunities for the poor.

The Guardian

Where mainstream politicians have collided with issues such as GamerGate – which promotes and justifies the violent harassment of women in the computer games industry – there are always "policy" answers: you can outlaw online harassment, refocus police priorities to protect the victims, etc.

The Guardian - Opinion

When the dust settled, however, and Arsenal travelled back to London to refocus on Saturday's Premier League trip to Swansea City, it was impossible to escape the feeling that this performance had come too late.

The Guardian - Sport

"I will work with London's boroughs to help refocus London's network of 400 children's centres to their founding purpose: providing the support that parents need throughout this important time in their child's development.

The Guardian

By reestablishing strategic cooperation with Israel, Iran can refocus its attention closer to home without fearing imminent Israeli military action and can carve away at the sole major issue bridging Israel and Saudi Arabia, the perceived Iranian threat.

The Guardian

He added that the corporation had "lost its way" and needed to refocus its attention on development.

The Guardian

And, notes Mr Morrison, the past few lean years have forced biotech firms to usefully refocus their resources and restructure their businesses.Meanwhile Asia's fledgling biotech sector is also growing rapidly.

The Economist

It should refocus on macroeconomics and financial markets.

The Economist

"And perhaps contrary to expectations, that seems to be an easier sell to companies now than it was a few years ago .The deal may also offer a wider lesson on the need for schools to refocus their efforts away from the usual suspects in developed countries and onto organisations in the emerging economies.

The Economist

Mr Peñate set up an outside advisory commission, which called for the DAS to refocus on "strategic intelligence".But what the agency needs is root-and-branch reform or closure, argues Sergio Jaramillo, a former defence official now at Ideas for Peace, a think-tank.

The Economist

The sooner we get out, the better for us and for Iraqis.Robert DujarricNew YorkSIR – Some of us believe that Iraq was never a part of the war on terror in the first place and would rather refocus our efforts at actually finding those responsible for the September 11th attacks.Alan VorchheimerNew YorkSIR – I would like to read your editorial positions on past conflicts.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refocus" in writing, ensure that the subject requiring refocusing and the new area of focus are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We need to refocus", specify "We need to refocus our marketing efforts on digital channels".

Common error

Avoid using "refocus" without specifying what needs to be refocused or what the new focus should be. Vague statements like "It's time to refocus" lack clarity. Provide explicit details for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "refocus" is as a transitive verb, indicating an action performed on an object (e.g., "refocus efforts"). According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and suitable for use in writing. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its proper application.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Science

15%

Academic

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refocus" is a grammatically correct and versatile verb used to describe a deliberate shift in attention, priorities, or strategies. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and suitable for use in writing. It is most commonly found in news and media and formal business contexts, demonstrating its broad applicability. When using "refocus", it is essential to specify what is being refocused and where the new focus lies to maintain clarity. Alternatives like "redirect attention" or "readjust priorities" can be considered based on nuanced meaning. Remember to clearly articulate both the initial and subsequent focal points for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect attention

Shifts the emphasis to the act of actively changing the direction of one's focus.

readjust priorities

Focuses specifically on re-evaluating and changing the order of importance in one's tasks or goals.

reorient efforts

Emphasizes a more significant shift in strategy or approach, suggesting a change in overall direction.

revise strategy

Centers on modifying a plan of action to achieve a better outcome, implying a more formal or structured approach.

turn attention to

Suggests starting to focus on something new, after having been focused on something else.

sharpen focus

Implies refining the existing focus, making it clearer and more precise rather than completely changing it.

reset objectives

Connotes a formal change of goals, implying previous targets were not adequately met.

center on

Highlights bringing something to the center of attention, making it the most important aspect.

bring back into focus

Implies that something was previously in focus but had become unclear or lost attention, and needs to be recovered.

re-emphasize

Suggests that while something was already important, it needs more emphasis to be noticed.

FAQs

How can I use "refocus" in a sentence?

You can use "refocus" to indicate a shift in attention or priorities. For example: "The company decided to "refocus" its efforts on product development".

What is a good alternative to "refocus"?

Alternatives to "refocus" include "redirect attention", "readjust priorities", or "reorient efforts", each carrying slight differences in nuance.

What does it mean to "refocus" a project?

To "refocus" a project means to adjust its goals, strategies, or priorities, often in response to changing circumstances or new information. It involves shifting the project's direction to achieve better outcomes.

What's the difference between "refocus" and "re-evaluate"?

"Refocus" implies shifting attention or resources to a new area or objective, while "re-evaluate" means reassessing the current situation to make better decisions. You might "re-evaluate" a strategy before deciding to "refocus" your efforts.