sharpen focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharpen focus" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to mean to become more concentrated on something or to pay more attention to a particular thing, for example, "We need to sharpen our focus on developing new products."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This new setup also helps to sharpen focus and minimise distractions.

The Guardian

— Michael de la Merced (@m_delamerced) 16 Oct 12 MS analyst: You want to sharpen focus on op metrics.

The New York Times

He had the other players scream numbers at them, an effort to both sharpen focus and communication while waking his players up a bit.

The New York Times - Sports

Hess is the latest oil concern to limit itself to exploration and production, as a way to sharpen focus and improve growth.

The New York Times

With his stint as a pundit for French TV complete, the Gunners boss will now sharpen focus on preparations for the new campaign - beginning at Barnet on Saturday.

Independent

The drugs can sharpen focus but they don't give you access to the Tree of Knowledge; you either know the stuff or you don't.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They are also told, over the course of a week, to eat at least one meal a day alone and in silence, to sharpen focusing skills.

The New York Times

But it also means maintaining precision timing and a sharpened focus for his players.

The New York Times - Sports

Thursday's defeat in Maribor had sharpened focus on McCoist, who has made an inconsistent managerial start.

The Guardian - Sport

The writer claims that many adults who used to be smokers now use Ritalin to get the same dopamine boost which sharpens focus and concentration.

The New Yorker

It seems that the direct message feature is a result of some of that sharpened focus.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sharpen focus" when you want to emphasize the need for greater clarity and precision in one's attention or objectives. It's particularly effective when addressing strategic or operational adjustments.

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "sharpen focus" excessively in casual conversation can sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler phrases like "pay attention" or "concentrate" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharpen focus" functions as a verb phrase where "sharpen" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object, and "focus" serves as the object of the verb. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound. Examples show it's used to indicate the action of making something clearer and more defined.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sharpen focus" is a grammatically correct and common phrase used to emphasize the need for greater clarity and precision. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage. Predominantly found in news, business, and scientific contexts, the phrase calls for improved concentration or definition. While versatile, avoid overuse in informal conversation where simpler terms may be more suitable. Remember, understanding context is key to using this phrase effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

improve concentration

Focuses on the act of making concentration better, without necessarily implying an initial lack of it.

boost concentration

Implies giving a sudden increase or enhancement to concentration.

refine objectives

Emphasizes making goals clearer and more precise.

intensify attention

Indicates strengthening or deepening the level of attention given.

hone in on

Suggests a process of gradually directing attention towards a specific target.

zero in on

Implies a very precise and direct focus on a particular point.

increase attention

Highlights the act of making attention bigger or greater.

narrow the scope

Suggests reducing the breadth of what is being considered.

enhance clarity

Highlights improving the clearness and ease of understanding.

streamline efforts

Focuses on making efforts more efficient and directed.

FAQs

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

You can use "sharpen focus" when you want to emphasize the need for greater clarity in one's attention. For example: "The company needs to "sharpen its focus" on customer service to improve satisfaction."

What can I say instead of "sharpen focus"?

You can use alternatives like "improve concentration", "refine objectives", or "hone in on" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "sharpen the focus"?

Yes, "sharpen the focus" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes a need to make something already existing clearer and more defined, whereas "sharpen focus" is more generic. For example, "We need to "sharpen the focus" of our marketing efforts".

What is the difference between "sharpen focus" and "maintain focus"?

"Sharpen focus" implies an adjustment to improve attention or clarity, while "maintain focus" suggests continuing to concentrate on something without deviation. One is to begin/improve, the other is to continue.