shift our focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'shift our focus' is correct and is often used in written English.
It is used when you need to change the conversation, subject, or direction of a discussion. For example, "Let's shift our focus away from the past and towards the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

If not, when are we going to shift our focus?

The Guardian - Tech

As we look back on the latest round of filicides, we need to shift our focus.

The Guardian

"We're going to have to shift our focus entirely," he said.

The New York Times

Perhaps this will be the moment when we shift our focus from step three, rational calculation, to step one, perception.

The New York Times

We can give up an antiquated set of priorities and shift our focus from rescue medicine to lifelong incremental care.

The New Yorker

"But we can't allow ourselves to shift our focus away from getting back to the top flight.

The Guardian - Sport

On a larger scale, we need to shift our focus to outcomes from private sector support – not just inputs.

The Guardian

Isn't it more practical (plus better for our mental health) to shift our focus to the opportunities?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

So we shifted our focus to visiting nature preserves and ambling through villages.

The New York Times - Travel

So we're shifting our focus away from writing reports to actually fix the problems.

The New York Times

"Deschamps is shifting our focus day by day towards our final objective, which is to win the trophy.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shift our focus", ensure the new focal point is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify what you are shifting focus to.

Common error

Avoid using "shift our focus" without specifying the new area of attention. An undefined shift can leave the audience confused about the intended direction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift our focus" functions as a directive phrase, commonly used to signal a change in the subject of discussion or the direction of effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shift our focus" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression for indicating a change in attention or emphasis. Ludwig AI’s analysis highlights its versatility, finding frequent use across news, scientific, and professional contexts. When incorporating this phrase, be clear about the new area of focus to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "redirect our attention" and "change our perspective" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its function, purpose, and common usage patterns, you can effectively use "shift our focus" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn our attention

A simple change that replaces "shift our focus" with "turn our attention."

redirect our attention

Replaces "shift focus" with "redirect attention", emphasizing a more forceful change of direction.

change our perspective

Focuses on altering the viewpoint rather than merely shifting the focus.

adjust our thinking

Highlights the modification of thought processes, implying a cognitive shift.

re-evaluate our priorities

Emphasizes a reassessment of what's important, implying a change in focus as a result.

reconsider our approach

Suggests a review and potential alteration of the methods being used.

alter our course

Implies a change in direction or strategy, often in a more significant or strategic context.

modify our strategy

Suggests a change in planned actions, rather than attention.

revise our plan

Highlights the need to rework an established plan, which entails shifting focus.

reset our sights

Indicates a need to adjust goals or targets, implying a shift in focus to new objectives.

FAQs

How can I use "shift our focus" in a sentence?

You can use "shift our focus" to suggest a change in attention or emphasis. For example, "Let's shift our focus from the problem to the solution."

What can I say instead of "shift our focus"?

You can use alternatives like "redirect our attention", "change our perspective", or "turn our attention" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "shift our focus" and "shift our attention"?

While similar, "shift our focus" often implies a strategic realignment, whereas "shift our attention" may simply suggest a change in what we are currently noticing. They are largely interchangeable, however.

When is it appropriate to use "shift our focus" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "shift our focus" when you want to indicate a change in the subject being discussed, the goals being pursued, or the strategies being employed. It's common in reports, presentations, and strategic planning documents.