retain focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain focus" is a correct phrase that can be used in written English.
Example: In order to successfully complete this task, it is important to retain focus and not get distracted by other tasks or interruptions.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

And Mr Marriott is clear about the need for the business's modern incarnation to retain focus.

The Economist

I agree with my colleagues that fascist is a word that should be used with pinpoint accuracy if the voters throughout Europe are to retain focus in the gloop of far-right rhetoric.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gary Hooper has admitted that it will be difficult to retain focus in a busy week for Celtic after being called up for the England Under-21 squad for the first time.

Independent

Bowie declined the opportunity to be chairman to retain focus on his own business.

BBC

Successful business professionals use specialized tools to help them and their teams manage long-term projects, make connections and retain focus over time.

Huffington Post

Roberts turned down both offers and chose to retain focus on his medical career; He moved to California where he taught for a time at Stanford University Hospital.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

These results support the hypothesis that cells that retain foci 24 hours after irradiation are the cells that lose clonogenic potential.

BMC Cancer

Still, her tone, never gross, generally retains focus and appeal.

The New York Times - Arts

He said UK Sport's work on helping sports to deliver up to 150 major events including European and World Championships between 2012 and 2016 would also be key in securing investment and retaining focus beyond the Games.

The Guardian

As any experienced founder or investor will say, retaining focus is key in those early times.

TechCrunch

The aim is to grow from a simple to-do list to more full-featured collaboration software, while retaining focus on both individuals and business customers, instead of just one or the other.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "retain focus", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be focused on. For example, "retain focus on the primary objective" provides better clarity than simply "retain focus".

Common error

A common mistake is to assume the object of focus is self-evident. Always specify what needs to be focused on to avoid ambiguity. Instead of saying "It's important to retain focus", specify "It's important to retain focus on the core requirements of the project".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain focus" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'retain' acts as a transitive verb requiring an object ('focus'). It indicates the action of maintaining or keeping one's attention or concentration on a specific subject or task, according to Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retain focus" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that emphasizes the importance of maintaining attention or concentration on a specific subject or task. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides numerous examples across various contexts, from news and media to science and general writing. When using the phrase, it's crucial to specify what needs to be focused on to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "maintain concentration" or "sustain attention" can also be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. The phrase has a neutral tone and it is very versatile in a large array of writing purposes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain concentration

Emphasizes the act of keeping one's mental effort or attention fixed on something.

sustain attention

Highlights the ability to prolong or extend focus over a period of time.

preserve concentration

Focuses on the effort to keep one's mental focus from being disrupted.

hold attention

Indicates the ability to keep someone or something focused.

keep your eye on the ball

An idiomatic expression meaning to stay focused on the main goal or objective.

stay on track

Implies remaining directed toward a specific goal without deviation.

avoid distractions

Highlights the active effort to prevent losing focus due to external stimuli.

concentrate efforts

Suggests directing one's energy and resources towards a specific aim.

persevere

Underlines the determination to maintain focus despite difficulties or setbacks.

be mindful

Promotes being fully present and attentive to the task at hand.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "retain focus" in a sentence?

To effectively use "retain focus", ensure you clearly specify the subject or task on which focus should be maintained. For instance, you could say, "The team must "retain focus" on the key performance indicators to achieve the desired results".

What are some alternatives to "retain focus"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "maintain concentration", "sustain attention", or "keep your eye on the ball".

Is it better to use "maintain focus" or "retain focus"?

Both "maintain focus" and "retain focus" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. "Maintain focus" emphasizes continuing to have focus, while "retain focus" emphasizes keeping focus that already exists. The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

"Retain focus" implies an active effort to keep attention on something, while "stay focused" suggests a state of being. For example, "We must "retain focus" on our goals" emphasizes the action, while "It's important to "stay focused"" highlights a required state of mind.