sustain focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"sustain focus" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation in which an individual or group must remain concentrated on a specific task or goal. For example, "The team was determined to sustain focus and complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

As with most athletes at his level, Honnold's ability to sustain focus and suppress fear is likely the result of both genetic gifts and their careful cultivation.

The New Yorker

In Mr. Busko's case, stimulant medication made a world of difference, but I suspect that the difficulties he experienced over the course of his life were instructive and galvanized him to excel once he was able to sustain focus.

The New York Times

Nicholas Carr, author of "The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains," argues in the book that because of the brain's neuroplasticity, Web surfing rewires people to be more adept at perfunctory multitasking, but diminishes the ability to sustain focus and think interpretatively.

The New York Times

Effort management The ability to persevere when activities are challenging, to sustain focus and work efficiently.

Huffington Post

Josh did research, gathered data, found the right information and computer tools to create his fractals program, which caused him to think objectively, maintain discipline and sustain focus.

Huffington Post

Attention management The ability to sustain focus when challenged, shift attention, and avoid hyperfocus (become too absorbed) when engaged in an enjoyable task.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

The dancers' sustained focus and intensity of commitment are a credit to Mr. Bigonzetti.

The New York Times - Arts

The job will be very hard and will require sustained focus.

The New York Times

This sustained focus on education, several advisers said, was in part intended to stake out some bipartisan ground.

The New York Times

Today we read books "extensively," often without sustained focus, and with rare exceptions we read each book only once.

The New York Times - Magazine

I'm not a novelist, but I've worked on several long projects since having a child, and you're right: sustaining focus is exhausting.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sustain focus", ensure the context clearly indicates what needs to be focused on. For example, specify the task, goal, or subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using "sustain focus" without a clear object. Instead of saying "It's hard to sustain focus", specify what is difficult to focus on: "It's hard to sustain focus on this complex problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sustain focus" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "sustain" acts as a transitive verb requiring an object, and "focus" serves as the noun representing the point of concentration. According to Ludwig, it's a usable phrase in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sustain focus" is a grammatically sound phrase that effectively conveys the idea of maintaining concentration over time. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. Although its frequency is only "uncommon", it appears across various contexts, including news, scientific research, and business communications. For clarity, it's best practice to explicitly state the object of focus. Consider alternatives such as ""maintain focus"" or ""retain focus"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain focus

Emphasizes keeping focus at the current level; subtle difference in active vs. static maintenance.

retain focus

Highlights the act of preventing focus from drifting; suggests a prior state of focus.

preserve focus

Focuses on protecting and keeping focus intact over time.

bolster focus

Implies strengthening or reinforcing existing focus; adds an element of improvement.

hold focus

Suggests a more active and effortful keeping of one's attention.

continue focusing

Emphasizes the ongoing nature of maintaining focus.

persevere in focusing

Adds an element of determination and overcoming challenges to stay focused.

extend focus

Implies prolonging the duration of focused attention.

support focus

Highlights the act of providing help in keeping focus.

cultivate focus

Emphasizes the deliberate development and nurturing of focus as a skill.

FAQs

How can I use "sustain focus" in a sentence?

You can use "sustain focus" to describe maintaining concentration on a task or goal. For example, "The team needed to "maintain focus" to meet the deadline" or "It's important to "bolster focus" during long meetings".

What does "sustain focus" mean?

"Sustain focus" means to maintain concentration, attention, or effort on something over a period of time. It emphasizes the ability to continue directing one's mental resources towards a specific task or objective.

Which is a better way to say "sustain focus": "maintain focus" or "hold focus"?

Both ""maintain focus"" and "hold focus" are acceptable alternatives to "sustain focus", but they have slightly different nuances. "Maintain focus" implies keeping focus at the current level, while "hold focus" suggests actively preventing focus from drifting. The best choice depends on the context.

How can new technologies affect one's ability to "sustain focus"?

New technologies, with their constant notifications and stimuli, can make it harder to "sustain focus" on a single task. Some studies suggest that frequent multitasking can diminish the ability to "retain focus" and think deeply.