shift your focus

USAGE SUMMARY

'shift your focus' is correct and usable in written English.
In general, it can be used when you want to urge someone to take their attention away from one particular thing and move it elsewhere. For example: "It's time to shift your focus to more important tasks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Instead, shift your focus to ideas with genuine revolutionary potential.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

3. Shift your focus from yourself to others.

University of California, Berkeley

2. Shift your focus to what is happening outside your body.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What made you shift your focus from youthful nudity to exotic animals?

The New York Times

Shift your focus from eliminating day-to-day pressures to changing your perception of them.

Harvard Business Review

If you want your business to succeed, shift your focus to horizontal integration.

Harvard Business Review

The focus, as it appeared to me, was to always shift your focus on others.

University of California, Berkeley

Practice caring and empathy, which shift your focus from self to other.

University of California, Berkeley

If it didn't work out, it wasn't the best place for you; so shift your focus to the other options.

The New York Times

WHEN you write one of the most produced plays of the decade at the age of 30, you can presumably shift your focus to whatever you want.

The New York Times

"You won't necessarily have to shift your focus to see the image generated by the contact lens," Parviz explained to New Scientist.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shift your focus", ensure the new focus is clearly defined for the audience to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "shift your focus" without specifying the destination. Be explicit about where attention should be redirected to maintain clarity and purpose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift your focus" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to redirect their attention. As Ludwig AI explains, it encourages moving attention away from one thing and towards another. Examples show this usage in various contexts, from personal well-being to business strategy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shift your focus" is a versatile and widely used expression, typically employed as an imperative to redirect attention towards something more productive or relevant. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in various contexts, particularly in news and media, academic settings, and self-help resources. When using "shift your focus", clarity is key; ensure that the new focus is well-defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "redirect your attention" or "change your perspective" offer similar meanings, allowing for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect your attention

Focuses on the action of redirecting, emphasizing agency.

change your perspective

Highlights altering one's viewpoint or understanding.

refocus your efforts

Suggests a renewed concentration of energy and resources.

adjust your sights

Implies making a course correction toward a different objective.

reorient your thinking

Emphasizes a fundamental shift in mindset or approach.

turn your attention to

A more literal instruction to direct awareness elsewhere.

alter your priorities

Suggests revising the order of importance among tasks or goals.

modify your approach

Implies adjusting the method used to achieve a goal.

pivot your strategy

Indicates a strategic change in direction, often in business contexts.

revise your game plan

Suggests a more comprehensive reassessment and modification of tactics.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift your focus" to suggest redirecting attention. For example, "Instead of dwelling on the problem, "shift your focus" to finding solutions".

What are some alternatives to "shift your focus"?

Alternatives include "redirect your attention", "change your perspective", or "refocus your efforts", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "shift your focus"?

It's appropriate when you want to suggest changing one's mental or visual concentration from one thing to another, typically towards something more productive or relevant.

What is the difference between "shift your focus" and "change your focus"?

While similar, "shift your focus" implies a more subtle adjustment, whereas "change your focus" suggests a more complete alteration of what is being prioritized or emphasized.