should be focussed on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "should be focussed on" is correct and usable in written English, although "focused" is the more common spelling in American English.
You can use it when indicating that attention or effort should be directed towards a specific subject or task. Example: "Our marketing strategy should be focussed on reaching a younger audience to increase brand awareness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

In any case, today, the company should be focussed on fixing its own problems rather than on keeping Stewart's company afloat.

The New Yorker

You know, we are about income mobility and that's what we should be focussed on to take care of the income disparity in this country.

The New Yorker

When they get together, she said, Payne "thinks very carefully about what each moment of the day should be focussed on — all the fun stuff".

The New Yorker

It should be focussed on the massive £200+ added to bills over the last 2 years mostly by rising gas prices, and why the UK lags nearly the whole of Europe in renewable energy production.

The Guardian

The prevailing idea was that prevention is better than cure — that aid should be focussed on vaccination and education, and that poor people should make do with what they had.

The New Yorker

Given that it is those in their late teens and early twenties who are most likely to perish in traffic accidents particular attention should be focussed on altering their habits.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

What responsibilities should be focused on, and which ones have been kept off the table?

The Guardian

We should be focusing on a Massachusetts unsolved homicide, not one in Hickville.

The New York Times

We should be focusing on is apprenticeships.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The paper should be focused on that.

The Guardian

And that is what we should be focusing on.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "should be focussed on", ensure the context is clear regarding who or what is doing the focusing and the specific subject of attention. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the clarity of your writing.

Common error

Avoid using the double 's' spelling "focussed" in American English; the standard spelling is "focused". While "should be focussed on" is grammatically acceptable, it is predominantly used in British English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "should be focussed on" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating recommendation or necessity. As shown by Ludwig, it suggests a direction for attention or effort, emphasizing what is deemed important to address.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "should be focussed on" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate where attention or effort should be directed, according to Ludwig. While predominantly British English, with the American English equivalent being "should be focused on", its usage is widespread in news, science and professional contexts. Remember to maintain clarity by specifying who or what is doing the focusing, and be mindful of the spelling depending on your target audience. Alternatives such as "should be concentrated on" or "needs to prioritize" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should be focused on

American English spelling variant. Change in spelling only.

should be concentrated on

Emphasizes a central point of attention, focusing effort into a smaller area.

should be directed towards

Uses a directional term to guide attention or resources. The meaning is essentially interchangeable.

attention should be given to

Shifts the subject to 'attention' rather than the actor doing the focusing.

needs to attend to

Stresses the necessity of giving consideration to something. More emphatic.

needs to prioritize

Uses active voice, conveying a sense of urgency. Similar in meaning, slightly different structure.

should address

A bit more concise, but similar in meaning. Omission of 'be focussed on' makes it more direct.

ought to address

More formal expression, carries a sense of duty. Slightly more direct than the original phrase.

should target

Emphasizes a specific goal. Conveys the idea of aiming at something.

must consider

Stronger imperative, emphasizes obligation. Conveys a sense of necessity.

FAQs

What does "should be focussed on" mean?

The phrase "should be focussed on" means that attention, effort, or resources should be directed towards a specific topic, task, or goal. It indicates a recommendation or necessity for concentrating on something.

What is the difference between "should be focused on" and "should be focussed on"?

The only difference is the spelling. "Should be focused on" is the standard American English spelling, while "should be focussed on" is more common in British English. They have the same meaning.

What are some alternatives to "should be focussed on"?

Some alternatives to "should be focussed on" include "should be concentrated on", "should be directed towards", or "needs to prioritize", depending on the context.

How can I use "should be focussed on" in a sentence?

You can use "should be focussed on" to indicate a recommended or necessary area of focus. For example, "The company's efforts should be focussed on improving customer satisfaction."