steer the focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "steer the focus" is correct and can be used in written English.
It generally means to guide or direct the attention or emphasis of a conversation or situation towards a particular goal or idea. For example, "We need to steer the focus of this meeting towards identifying solutions to this problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Mrs. Clinton's visit to the Taiyanggong Thermal Power Plant allowed her to steer the focus back to climate change.

The New York Times

But rather than rehash their differences he tried to steer the focus towards increasing pressure on Iran and North Korea to give up their nuclear weapons programs.

The New York Times

They can learn very powerfully in a group, though it has to be led by a skilled adult to steer the focus away from members expressing negative antisocial views".

Independent

Many of those interviewed were sharply critical of the city's formula for grading schools on a scale of A through F, and expressed hope that Ms. Black might steer the focus away from standardized tests.

The New York Times

A spokesman for Vote Leave, in which the justice secretary, Michael Gove, plays a senior role, accused No 10 of trying to steer the focus away from Cameron's tax affairs.

The Guardian

A spokesman for Vote Leave, in which justice secretary Michael Gove plays a senior role, even accused No 10 of trying to steer the focus away from Cameron's tax affairs.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Nonetheless, Mr. Giuliani steered the focus to Mr. Forrester.

The New York Times

Yet by writing about the presumed and much-debated connection between media violence and real violence many commentators steered the focus toward, well, the media.

The New York Times

However, the scale preferences of conservationists who value the presence of individual species, of land owners who are limited by the boundaries of their land and the quality of the (contaminated) soil, and particularly of river managers who can best safeguard their interests in navigation and dike stabilities at a small levels of scale, steered the focus towards a floodplain level.

Environmental Management

The qualities needed to steer the course endurance, focus, a steady hand, peripheral vision help explain how the man has defied the rules that usually apply to the Fifth Republic's prime ministers.If he keeps his job until 2012, Mr Fillon will become the first prime minister in modern times to have survived a president's entire term.

The Economist

Of course, focus groups and surveys are flawed too: strong personalities can steer the outcomes of focus groups, and people do not always tell opinion pollsters the truth.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer the focus" to actively direct attention in discussions or written pieces to maintain relevance and avoid tangents.

Common error

Avoid using "steer the focus" when describing a passive shift in attention; it implies active direction. For instance, don't say "the focus was steered" unless someone actively caused that redirection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer the focus" functions as a directive expression, indicating an active attempt to redirect attention or emphasis. As Ludwig indicates, this phrase is employed to guide conversations or situations towards a specific objective or topic.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steer the focus" is a correct and relatively common expression used to describe the act of redirecting attention or emphasis. As indicated by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and finds frequent application in news media and academic contexts. While several alternative phrases exist, such as "redirect attention" or "shift the emphasis", "steer the focus" carries a distinct connotation of active direction. When using this phrase, ensure that the context implies active influence rather than passive occurrence to avoid misinterpretation. This maintains clarity in writing and strengthens your intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect attention

Focus is made more general, but the primary concept of steering or redirecting something is preserved.

shift the emphasis

Changes focus to emphasis, conveying a similar but slightly broader meaning.

guide the discussion

Replaces "focus" with "discussion", applicable in conversational contexts.

control the narrative

More forceful, implying greater control over the story or situation.

influence the direction

Direction replaces focus, shifting slightly to the path something takes.

channel the attention

"Channel" implies a more directed form of steering.

manipulate the spotlight

Has a negative connotation with the term "manipulate", implying a deceitful steering of attention.

reorient the perspective

Perspective is introduced, implying a change in viewpoint, rather than attention.

adjust the lens

Implies changing how something is viewed or perceived.

modulate the viewpoint

More formal and technical, suggesting a careful adjustment of perspective.

FAQs

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

You can use "steer the focus" to describe efforts to redirect attention towards a specific topic. For example: "The politician tried to steer the focus away from the scandal and onto his economic policies."

What's a more formal alternative to "steer the focus"?

If you need a more formal alternative, consider using phrases like "redirect attention" or "shift the emphasis".

Is it better to say "steer the focus" or "guide the focus"?

Both "steer the focus" and "guide the focus" are acceptable. "Steer" implies a more active redirection, while "guide" suggests a gentler influence. The best choice depends on the specific context.

How does "steer the focus" differ from "control the narrative"?

"Steer the focus" implies directing attention to specific points, while "control the narrative" suggests a broader control over the entire story or situation being presented.