that were focused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that were focused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a specific subject or group that had a particular emphasis or concentration on something in the past. Example: "The studies that were focused on climate change provided valuable insights into environmental policies."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"We wanted to find organizations that were focused on improving people's lives," said Elie Hassenfeld, one of the founders.

The New York Times

The Justice Department, he explained, did not belong to the group of regulators that were focused on Libor.

The New York Times

The presentation was one of several during Advertising Week that were focused on the paucity of women in the industry's top ranks.

The New York Times

I put more stock in Annika playing Colonial than Michelle Wie, simply because of the level and tonnage of eyeballs that were focused on that issue for the first four or five months of this year.

The New York Times - Sports

In an interview and in a speech tonight in New York, Mr. Daniels said the administration would seek to strip out of the economic stimulus bill any provisions that were focused on particular industries.

The New York Times

It grew to more than 50 employees and had offices in New York, London and South Carolina that were focused on buying and selling stocks and exchange-traded funds.

The New York Times

In the last two months of the election alone, industry lobby groups as well as Koch-funded entities such as Americans for Prosperity spent $270m on television ads, including $31m of ads that were focused specifically on energy, the centre's analysis said.

The Guardian

In 2006, David Dower, associate artistic director of Arena Stage in Washington, conducted an Andrew W. Mellon Foundation study of 15 theater communities and found that Philadelphia stood out for "the number of different philanthropic agencies that were focused on individual artists".

The New York Times

First, I'm posting the comments that were focused on policy, then those focused on the details of the science: Roger Pielke, Jr., professor of environmental studies, the University of Colorado: People love to debate climate change, but I suspect that the community's efforts are far better placed focusing attention on warnings and response.

The New York Times

Which is why, for the next week, the same sets of eyes that were focused intently on Michigan will shift their gaze just slightly southward to Ohio — a state with a vast number of delegates on offer that also happens to be a pivotal battleground in the general election to come.

The New York Times

Structured tools that were focused on the hospital environment were developed.

Applied Ergonomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that were focused", ensure the subject it refers to is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify the exact entities or elements that are being focused on.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of passive voice constructions like "that were focused" if an active voice alternative provides more clarity and conciseness. Consider rephrasing to an active construction where appropriate to strengthen your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that were focused" functions as a relative clause modifying a noun, providing additional information about the noun's specific area of concentration or emphasis. It acts as an adjective, describing the noun's characteristic of being directed towards a specific goal or subject. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that were focused" functions as a relative clause, specifying an area of concentration. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English. It is very common across various contexts, notably Science, News & Media and Formal & Business. While grammatically sound, consider active voice alternatives for conciseness. The phrase's versatility makes it appropriate for both neutral and formal registers, but it’s key to maintain clarity by explicitly defining the subject of focus. Alternatives, such as "that concentrated on" or "that emphasized", may provide more stylistic impact depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that concentrated on

Replaces "were focused" with a single verb emphasizing concentration.

that emphasized

Substitutes "were focused" with a verb highlighting emphasis.

that were centered on

Uses "were centered on" to denote a central point of attention.

that revolved around

Employs "revolved around" to indicate a primary topic.

that targeted

Replaces "were focused" with "targeted", suggesting a specific aim.

which had a focus on

Restructures the phrase using "had a focus on" for a slightly different emphasis.

dedicated to

Indicates a commitment or dedication to a particular area.

aimed at

Implies a specific goal or objective.

with an emphasis on

Highlights the presence of a particular emphasis.

with a spotlight on

Uses "spotlight on" to suggest a highlighted area of interest.

FAQs

What does "that were focused" mean?

The phrase "that were focused" describes subjects, efforts, or resources that had a particular emphasis or concentration on something specific in the past. It indicates a directed intention or attention.

How can I use "that were focused" in a sentence?

You can use "that were focused" to describe a group of studies, projects, or initiatives that concentrated on a particular area. For example: "The studies "that were focused" on climate change yielded valuable insights."

What are some alternatives to "that were focused"?

Alternatives include "that concentrated on", "that emphasized", or "that were centered on" depending on the context.

Is "that were focused" formal or informal?

The phrase "that were focused" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider more concise alternatives like "that emphasized" for greater impact.