shift focus away from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shift focus away from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the act of redirecting attention or emphasis from one subject to another. Example: "In order to improve team morale, we need to shift focus away from the recent failures and concentrate on our successes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

But in recent months, the Police Department has appeared to shift focus away from the policy.

The New York Times

Dr Alawi fears that the redevelopment of the Masjid an-Nabawi is part of a wider drive to shift focus away from the place where Mohamed is buried.

Independent

Similarly, in criticizing the admittedly circus-like nature of the American election season, the Chinese government hopes to shift focus away from its singularly oppressive rule, one that has conferred economic prosperity and violated human rights.

The New Yorker

Since then, the Obama administration has tried to shift focus away from the July 2011 date — military commanders said the deadline was encouraging insurgents to bide their time until the United States withdrew — to a new date of 2014 as the end of American combat operations in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

One senior Democratic aide said the party will try to "shift focus away from a debate on the success or failure of the surge to a broader discussion that examines the costs of the war, whether the war has made us safer and the ultimate index of success- when will we be able to bring our troops home".

The New York Times

The Indian central bank is likely to shift focus away from inflation towards growth during 2012, according to its governor.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

It will be hard to shift students' focus away from their richest classmates.

The Economist

Mr. Sager added that, "Some of the smart money, the REIT's, are shifting focus away from Exit 8A and starting to look at properties closer to ports".

The New York Times

Even Pacific Cycle of McFarland, Wis., which owns the rights to manufacture Flexible Flyer sleds, has shifted focus away from the wooden classics.

The New York Times

The incident has not only shifted focus away from the DUP's potential role in propping up a Tory or Labour minority at Westminster after 7 May.

The Guardian

But Tuesday's announcement shifted focus away from yet another faltering effort — an attempt, led by federal officials, to reach a settlement between state attorneys general and the large banks on foreclosure abuses.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift focus away from" when you want to clearly indicate a deliberate change in attention or emphasis, often to address a different aspect or issue. Be precise about where the focus is shifting to for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "shift focus away from" without specifying where the focus is being redirected. This can leave the reader unclear about the new priority or subject, reducing the impact of your statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift focus away from" functions as a verb phrase expressing an action. It describes the act of redirecting attention or emphasis from one particular subject or area to another. This is supported by examples found in Ludwig, where the phrase is used to describe deliberate changes in strategy, policy, or priorities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shift focus away from" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe redirecting attention or emphasis. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across a range of contexts. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science sources, the phrase carries a neutral register and is suitable for both formal and informal communication. When using "shift focus away from", ensure that the new area of focus is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "redirect attention from" or "divert attention from" can be used to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect attention from

Directly indicates a change in the target of attention.

divert attention from

Implies a deliberate attempt to pull attention away.

change the subject

More informal, suggesting a complete topic change.

reorient priorities

Focuses on re-evaluating and changing what's most important.

de-emphasize

Highlights a reduction in importance or focus.

downplay

Suggests minimizing the importance of something.

move away from

Indicates a general departure from a specific area.

reposition

Implies strategically changing the focus.

pivot from

Describes a fundamental change in strategy or direction.

re-evaluate priorities

It suggests a reassessment of importance and subsequent adjustment of focus.

FAQs

How can I use "shift focus away from" in a sentence?

You can use "shift focus away from" to indicate a change in emphasis or attention. For example: "The company decided to "shift focus away from" marketing and invest more in research and development."

What are some alternatives to "shift focus away from"?

Alternatives include "redirect attention from", "divert attention from", or "change the subject", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "shift focus away from" or "change focus to"?

"Shift focus away from" emphasizes the departure from a previous focus, while "change focus to" simply highlights the new focus. The better choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the shift itself or just the new direction.

When is it appropriate to use "shift focus away from" in professional writing?

It is appropriate to use "shift focus away from" in professional writing when you need to clearly and directly communicate a change in priorities, strategies, or areas of attention within a business or academic context.