the sole focus

USAGE SUMMARY

"the sole focus" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe something that is the only thing of importance or the only thing to concentrate on. For example: "At the meeting, the sole focus was how to solve the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But legacy is hardly the sole focus.

The New York Times - Sports

However, government is not the sole focus of the review.

The Guardian - Opinion

Old movies are not the sole focus of his obsession.

The New York Times

But he isn't the sole focus of the brothers' work.

Independent

But he will hardly be the sole focus of attention.

The New York Times

Admittedly, sleep isn't the sole focus of the campaign, but it's hands-down the best.

The Guardian - Opinion

Mr. Taubman, now the sole focus of the investigation, has denied any wrongdoing.

The New York Times

For years, driver error had been the sole focus in the investigation of traffic accidents.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Admittedly, sleep isn't the sole focus of the campaign, but it's hands-down the best.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's one reason why the pub is no longer the sole focus of British drinking.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The sole focus of most predictive feature selection techniques is on defeating the curse of dimensionality.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "the sole focus", ensure it clearly identifies the one thing that matters most in a given context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "the sole focus" when multiple elements are clearly at play. Acknowledge other contributing factors for accuracy and credibility. Saying "the sole focus was customer service" is incorrect if the company also invested in marketing and product development.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sole focus" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject complement or an object of a preposition. It identifies the single, most important element under consideration. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically sound and widely accepted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sole focus" is a grammatically correct and widely used noun phrase that emphasizes the singularity and importance of a specific element. According to Ludwig AI, it is used to highlight the only thing of importance or the only thing to concentrate on. It functions to direct attention to a primary objective, whether in news reporting, scientific studies, or business strategies. While versatile, writers should ensure that its use accurately reflects a genuine singularity to avoid overstatement. With a high frequency across diverse sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, mastering the use of "the sole focus" is essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the exclusive concern

Indicates that something is the only thing being considered.

the only priority

Emphasizes the prioritization aspect, implying other things are secondary.

the singular aim

Emphasizes having just one goal.

the primary objective

Stresses the intended result or outcome.

the singular objective

Stresses that there is only one objective.

the main concern

Focuses on what is causing worry or attention.

the only consideration

Highlights the element of deliberation and decision-making.

the central point

Highlights the core idea or argument.

the overriding factor

Suggests a factor that is more important than any other.

the principal object

More formal, stressing the primary aim or goal.

FAQs

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

Use "the sole focus" to emphasize the single most important aspect or goal. For example, "During the project, "the sole focus" was on meeting the deadline".

What are some alternatives to "the sole focus"?

You can use alternatives like "the only priority", "the main concern", or "the central point" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "the sole focus"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "the sole focus" is a common and accepted way to describe something that is the only thing of importance or the only thing to concentrate on.

What's the difference between "the main focus" and "the sole focus"?

"The main focus" implies that there may be other focuses, but one is primary. "The sole focus" indicates that there is only one focus, with no others.