shift my focus to

USAGE SUMMARY

'shift my focus to' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to focus your attention on something different from what you are currently focusing on. For example, "I had been so focused on the task in front of me that I forgot to take a break, so I decided to shift my focus to something else for a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I started out as a parasite specialist, but soon wanted to shift my focus to lymphatic filariasis, or elephantiasis.

The Guardian

I tried to shift my focus to a stuffed rabbit lying on its side and a vixen head mounted on the wall, but that didn't work.

The New York Times

So, I have made the decision to shift my focus to other areas of tech such as hardware engineering in which I have the skills to succeed.

Duke University

And, while I would prefer to shift my focus to other states and issues, this week's Golden State-related headlines are -- quite simply -- impossible to avoid.

Forbes

He said, 'Yeah!' And I told him, 'Well, that is the intrauterine environment in the latter portion of pregnancy.' ". "He basically told me that he loved my work but I needed to shift my focus to development," Marsit says.

Science Magazine

As that basically wraps up the onscreen hacking in "Mirroring," I am now going to shift my focus to the flashback scene at the very beginning of the episode.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

I shifted my focus to building a career and a family.

The New York Times - Sports

With the embryos safely packed away in frozen storage, I shifted my focus to my cancer treatment; my doctors' course of treatment called for me to go through a full year of chemotherapy, and my life turned into a series of physically debilitating medical appointments and trying to get my strength back in time for the next one.

The Guardian - Opinion

Most recently, I have shifted my focus to Europe, in a project that examines how Spain's Islamic legacy is inflecting the way the "Muslim Problem --a Problem --aue in contemProblem --aourses of Europivotalentissuein being posed within Spanish national debates.

University of California, Berkeley

During college I shifted my focus to writing, thanks in part to the internship I had with Gizmodo.

TechCrunch

It changed the way she saw her work: "Using a database shifted my focus to look beyond just one moment in time in a simulation," she says.

Science Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift my focus to" when you want to indicate a deliberate change in attention or priorities from one subject to another. This is particularly useful when explaining a change in strategy or personal interests.

Common error

Avoid using "shift my focus to" in passive voice. For instance, instead of saying "My focus was shifted to..." use an active construction like "I shifted my focus to..." for clearer and more direct communication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift my focus to" acts as a verb phrase indicating a conscious decision to change the object of one's attention or efforts. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used to express this transition.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shift my focus to" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered way to describe a change in one's attention or priorities. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and commonly used. While applicable in various contexts, it appears most frequently in News & Media, Academia, and Science. To enhance clarity, avoid using the passive voice with this phrase and consider alternatives like "redirect my attention to" or "concentrate on" depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect my attention to

Focuses more on the act of redirecting attention rather than a complete shift.

turn my attention to

Implies a change of direction, similar to "shift", but can also suggest a temporary change.

concentrate on

Highlights the act of focusing intently on the new subject.

devote myself to

Suggests a deeper commitment to the new focus.

dedicate my time to

Emphasizes time allocation towards the new focus.

reorient my efforts towards

A more formal way of saying shift my focus, suitable for professional contexts.

pivot to

Implies a strategic change in direction, often used in business contexts.

refocus my energies on

Highlights the reallocation of energy towards the new subject.

adjust my sights to

Suggests aiming towards a new goal or objective.

change my point of emphasis to

A more descriptive and elaborate way of saying shift my focus.

FAQs

How can I use "shift my focus to" in a sentence?

You can use "shift my focus to" to describe a change in your priorities or attention. For example, "After completing the initial project, I decided to "shift my focus to" marketing efforts".

What are some alternatives to "shift my focus to"?

Alternatives include "redirect my attention to", "turn my attention to", or "concentrate on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "shifted my focus on" instead of "shift my focus to"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "shift my focus" is "to". "Shift my focus on" is grammatically incorrect. It should always be "shift my focus to".

What's the difference between "shift my focus to" and "place emphasis on"?

"Shift my focus to" implies a change in attention from one thing to another, while "place emphasis on" suggests highlighting or prioritizing something without necessarily changing the overall focus.