shifting the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "shifting the focus" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you might use it in a sentence like this: "The teacher shifted the focus of the discussion to health and safety issues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

can get in shifting the focus.

The New York Times

However, by shifting the focus of N.D.E.

The New Yorker

He favors shifting the focus from leadership to membership.

The Guardian

Yet shifting the focus may be harder than it looks.

The Economist

The study recommends shifting the focus of inspection from "detecting objects" to identifying high-risk passengers.

The New York Times

Shifting the focus is one of Ms. Jolie's best maneuvers, magazine editors and publicity executives say.

The New York Times

You can still fulfill your original intention by shifting the focus of the get-together.

The New York Times

Somewhere we need to dignify giving by shifting the focus from donor's pride to receiver's dignity".

The New York Times

Learner-Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the Focus from Teaching to Learning.

University of California, Berkeley

But he made up for it by shifting the focus to include more moderate-size companies, he said.

The New York Times

Her elevation was leaked on Wednesday, shifting the focus away from the more controversial Labour appointments announced on Thursday.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "shifting the focus", ensure that the new focus is explicitly stated or easily inferred by the reader to maintain clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "shifting the focus" without clearly indicating what the new focus is. Vague references can confuse the reader and weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shifting the focus" functions as a verb phrase, often acting as a pivotal point in a sentence to denote a deliberate change in attention, emphasis, or perspective. This can be seen through Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "shifting the focus" is a versatile and frequently used verb phrase that signals a deliberate change in attention or emphasis. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts, including news, academia, and science. While highly effective, ensure the new focus is clearly articulated to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "redirecting attention" or "adjusting the emphasis" can provide nuanced variations depending on the specific context. This phrase maintains a neutral register, making it appropriate for professional and academic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transferring the focus

Uses "transferring" instead of "shifting", implying a movement of attention.

redirecting attention

Emphasizes the act of guiding attention to a new target.

adjusting the emphasis

Focuses on changing the importance given to different aspects.

altering the perspective

Highlights a change in viewpoint or outlook.

changing the direction

Implies a course correction in thinking or action.

modifying the viewpoint

Similar to altering the perspective, but emphasizes a specific view.

reorienting the discussion

Specifically targets a change in the direction of a conversation.

recasting the spotlight

Suggests highlighting a different element or aspect.

reframing the issue

Involves presenting the issue from a different angle or context.

repositioning the argument

Suggests changing the stance or focus of an argument or debate.

FAQs

How can I use "shifting the focus" in a sentence?

You can use "shifting the focus" to indicate a change in attention, emphasis, or perspective. For example, "The presentation started with sales figures, but then "shifting the focus" to customer satisfaction metrics".

What are some alternatives to "shifting the focus"?

Some alternatives include "redirecting attention", "adjusting the emphasis", or "altering the perspective", depending on the specific context.

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

While "shifting the focus on" might be understood, "shifting the focus to" is the more grammatically correct and widely accepted construction. Therefore, using "to" is generally preferable.

What's the difference between "shifting the focus" and "changing the subject"?

"Shifting the focus" implies a deliberate change in emphasis within a related topic, while "changing the subject" usually indicates a complete departure to an entirely new topic. "Shifting the focus" is usually more subtle and interconnected than "changing the subject".