sharpened focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"sharpened focus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone has increased their concentration on something, usually in order to work on it more effectively. For example, "After attending the seminar, Sarah's attention to detail had been sharpened, allowing her to produce higher quality results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

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

With a sharpened focus on three research themes, the institute also expects to play a stronger role in commercializing technologies developed at Cornell.

Cornell University

It comes amid a sharpened focus on bankers' pay following a series of mis-selling scandals and attempts by the top banks to sidestep the EU bonus cap, which restricts bonuses to 100% of salary or 200% if shareholders approve.

The Guardian - Business

Bryn Mawr accepts women returning to college or entering for the first time, with "credentials of life experience, wisdom, sharpened focus and a seasoned enthusiasm for learning," according to its literature.

The New York Times

Regardless, his actions have sharpened focus on unresolved questions of Indigenous sovereignty at a time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders are debating the merits and potential wording of constitutional recognition in the leadup to a proposed 2017 referendum.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 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

When repulsed, our eyes narrow, blocking light to sharpen focus and pinpoint the source of our disgust.

Cornell University

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sharpened focus", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being focused on and the reason for the increased concentration.

Common error

Avoid using "sharpened focus" when simply describing something that is already naturally clear or well-defined. The phrase implies a process of improvement or adjustment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sharpened focus" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where "sharpened" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "focus". It describes a particular quality or state of focus, indicating that the focus has been made more precise or intense. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

11%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sharpened focus" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression that describes a state of increased concentration and clarity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various contexts, ranging from news and media to academic and formal business settings. Its frequent occurrence in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread acceptance. When using "sharpened focus", ensure that the context aligns with its intended meaning of improved or refined attention, and consider alternatives like "heightened focus" or "refined focus" to add nuance to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heightened focus

Uses "heightened" instead of "sharpened", suggesting an increased level of focus.

increased focus

Replaces "sharpened" with "increased", emphasizing a greater degree of attention.

refined focus

Substitutes "sharpened" with "refined", implying a more precise and clear focus.

intense focus

Replaces "sharpened" with "intense", highlighting a strong and concentrated focus.

clearer focus

Emphasizes the clarity of the focus rather than the process of sharpening it.

more defined focus

Uses "more defined" to convey the idea of a focus that has become clearer and more distinct.

narrowed focus

Suggests a focus that has been made more specific and limited in scope.

concentrated attention

Replaces "focus" with "attention", emphasizing the mental effort being applied.

laser focus

Uses "laser" to intensify the image of a highly concentrated and precise focus.

focused attention

Reorders the words, but conveys a similar meaning of concentrated attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "sharpened focus" to describe a situation where attention or effort is intentionally directed towards a specific goal. For example, "The new strategy brought a "sharpened focus" on customer satisfaction".

What is an alternative to "sharpened focus"?

Alternatives to "sharpened focus" include "heightened focus", "increased focus", or "refined focus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "sharpened focus"?

It is appropriate to use "sharpened focus" when describing a situation where there has been a conscious effort to improve concentration or clarity on a particular objective. It implies a deliberate adjustment to improve performance.

What's the difference between "sharpened focus" and "sharp focus"?

"Sharpened focus" implies a process of improving focus, while "sharp focus" describes a state of already being clear and well-defined. The former suggests effort and adjustment, while the latter suggests an inherent quality.