shift the focus to

USAGE SUMMARY

"shift the focus to" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to redirect attention or emphasis to a different subject or topic. Example: "The presentation started with an overview of the company's financial performance, but then the speaker shifted the focus to the new product line and its potential for growth." In this example, the speaker changed the main subject of the presentation from financial performance to the new product line.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Labor has often struggled to shift the focus to its policies on health and education.

The Guardian

An Obama administration is also expected to shift the focus to Afghanistan.

The New York Times

"This is an attempt to shift the focus to the victim as culprit," Judge Grabau said.

The New York Times

Landrieu tried to shift the focus to the repair efforts that were getting under way.

The New Yorker

There are a number of ways to shift the focus to the subject.

The New York Times

Clinton was attempting to shift the focus to the economy on Thursday with a speech in Detroit.

The Guardian

The House financial oversight panel will shift the focus to the rating agencies and the risk officers.

The New York Times

When that starts to happen, you need to shift the focus to what's really important, which is performance".

The New York Times - Sports

The drive to shift the focus to local production does not mean Qatar is giving up its policy of buying land overseas.

The Guardian

In early August, the Times reported [paywall] that May intended to "shift the focus to other rural and industrial areas" away from the north of England.

The Guardian

The LLDC occasionally, and largely in vain, tries to shift the focus to those areas of the Olympic Park where it believes praise is due for progress made.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift the focus to" when you want to clearly indicate a redirection of attention from one topic or aspect to another. For example, in a presentation, you might say, "Now, let's shift the focus to the marketing strategy."

Common error

Avoid using "shift the focus to" when only adding information without changing the core subject. The phrase means changing, not adding. For example: Instead of "Let's shift the focus to the advantages, but also keep in mind the cons", try "Let's analyze the advantages, and then, we will keep in mind the cons".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift the focus to" functions as a transitive verb phrase that introduces a change in the topic or area of attention. It signals a redirection from one subject to another, as evidenced by examples available in Ludwig. It actively changes the direction of the discussion or activity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shift the focus to" is a versatile phrase used to signal a change in subject or emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific and formal business communications. When writing, use this phrase to indicate a clear transition and avoid using it when merely adding information. Alternatives like "redirect attention to" or "change the emphasis to" can be used to fine-tune the specific nuance. This phrase is very common in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect attention to

Implies a more deliberate and controlled change of attention.

turn the spotlight on

Suggests highlighting something specific, often used metaphorically.

change the emphasis to

Focuses specifically on altering what is considered most important.

pivot to

Implies a more dynamic and strategic shift, often in response to changing circumstances.

reorient towards

Suggests a fundamental change in direction or perspective.

refocus on

Implies a return to a previously held focus, or a correction of focus.

move towards

Suggests a gradual change in the direction.

adjust the lens to

Implies to look at something in a different perspective.

give prominence to

Suggests to highlight some subject to make it more relevant.

place importance on

It's more about adding relevance than shifting from the initial focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift the focus to" to indicate a change in the subject or emphasis of a discussion or activity. For instance, "The company decided to shift the focus to developing sustainable products" or "After discussing the problems, let's shift the focus to potential solutions".

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

Alternatives include "redirect attention to", "turn the spotlight on", or "change the emphasis to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

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

No, the correct preposition to use with "shift the focus" is "to". Saying "shift the focus on" is grammatically incorrect. You should always use "shift the focus to" followed by the new subject of attention.

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

It's appropriate to use "shift the focus to" when you want to signal a clear transition from one topic to another. This phrase is useful in reports, presentations, and articles where you need to guide the reader or listener through different aspects of a subject in an organized way.