selective focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "selective focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts related to photography, art, or discussions about attention and perception, where one emphasizes certain elements while blurring others. Example: "The photographer used selective focus to draw attention to the subject while softening the background."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Tech

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

To date, both candidates have seemed to prefer obfuscation and selective focus.

The New York Times

Applied psychoanalysis of the type engaged in by Drs. Frank and Post also suffers from "confirmatory bias," or the selective focus on information that confirms the observer's expectation.

The New York Times - Health

The use of selective focus makes for unsettling viewing, as the eye is constantly forced to adjust to varying depths of field.

The Guardian

Our modern search-engine culture celebrates information gathering and problem solving — ways of thinking associated with orienting and selective focus — but has little patience for the mind's reveries.

The New York Times - Books

If Serena is playing with selective focus — a product of the layoff since Wimbledon Venusus has been playing with trademark calm until she blasts deep winners with anguished grunts.

The New York Times - Sports

The concurrent shows now at the Matthew Marks Gallery and the Swiss Institute are narrower, but still manage to convey both the selective focus and fullness of the artists' work.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

Starting from a FABP4 selective focused screening hit, biostructure information was used to modulate the selectivity profile in the desired way and to design potent dual FABP4/5 inhibitors with good selectivity against FABP3.

Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry Letters

According to Black's reading of published data, the drug was selective — focussed on sleep — in its action on GABA receptors, but only in doses that were too low to induce sleep.

The New Yorker

While social democratic parties elsewhere in Europe have adapted welfare policies in hard times to make benefits more selective, focusing on the needy rather than spraying money on the middle classes, the French Socialists are an exception.

The New York Times

For that matter, his overall approach here tends to be heavily anecdotal and selective, focusing on horror stories like the kidnapping of a young Indian boy, who, the police said, was brought to an orphanage "that paid cash for healthy children" and then "exported the children to unknowing families abroad".

The New York Times - Books

It has a fast maximum aperture of f/1.7 for selective focusing and you can add an underwater filter to keep the lens and camera dry while rolling in the deep.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "selective focus" in writing, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being emphasized and what is being de-emphasized. This helps avoid ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended point of emphasis.

Common error

Avoid using "selective focus" simply as a sophisticated way of saying "focus". Ensure there is a genuine element of selecting some aspects over others for emphasis, rather than just a general focus on a topic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "selective focus" primarily functions as a noun phrase. It typically describes a deliberate act of emphasizing certain aspects while de-emphasizing others. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showcasing its application in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Tech

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "selective focus" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe the act of emphasizing certain aspects while de-emphasizing others. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's applicable across diverse contexts, including photography, attention studies, and strategic analysis. When using this phrase, ensure that the context makes clear what is being emphasized and what is not. Alternatives like "narrow focus" or "targeted attention" may be suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. It is important to use "selective focus" when there is a real action of selecting some aspects over others. The most frequent sources of this word are the News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

narrow focus

Implies a limited scope of attention or concern.

targeted attention

Highlights the deliberate direction of attention to a specific point.

specific emphasis

Focuses on the act of highlighting certain details or aspects.

particular focus

Emphasizes the distinct nature of the focus.

restricted scope

Indicates a limitation in the range of consideration.

specialized attention

Suggests expert or dedicated focus on a particular area.

concentrated effort

Highlights the exertion of effort in a focused manner.

intentional highlighting

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of making something prominent.

limited perspective

Points out the constraints of a particular viewpoint.

differential emphasis

Stresses the varying levels of importance given to different elements.

FAQs

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

You can use "selective focus" to describe a deliberate emphasis on certain elements while minimizing others, as in "The photographer used a "selective focus" to highlight the subject's eyes".

What are some alternatives to "selective focus"?

Depending on the context, you might use alternatives such as "targeted attention", "narrow focus", or "specific emphasis".

In photography, what does "selective focus" mean?

In photography, "selective focus" refers to a technique where the subject is in sharp focus while the background is blurred, drawing the viewer's attention to the subject. This differs from a "sharp focus" image where everything is in focus.

What's the difference between "selective focus" and "focused attention"?

"Selective focus" often refers to a deliberate choice to highlight specific elements, while "focused attention" describes the act of concentrating on something, whether or not other elements are being intentionally de-emphasized. "Selective focus" implies choosing what to emphasize.