to focus

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to focus" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe an action aimed at concentrating on something. Example: "I need to focus on my studies if I want to pass this class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Time to focus again.

The New York Times

Tried to focus.

The New Yorker

Jacqui tried to focus.

The New Yorker

I'm trying to focus.

The New York Times - Sports

We struggled to focus.

Independent

You learn to focus".

The New Yorker

I have to focus".

The New Yorker

You have to focus somehow.

The New Yorker

Is he able to focus?

The New York Times - Sports

I just need to focus.

The New York Times - Sports

Got to focus on that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to focus" when you want to clearly indicate the act of concentrating on a task, idea, or objective. For example, "It's important to focus on the customer needs when developing new products."

Common error

Avoid using "focus on" without specifying what or who is doing the focusing. For instance, instead of saying "Focus on results", specify "We need to focus on results" to make the sentence clearer.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to focus" primarily functions as an infinitive, often used to express purpose or intention. It indicates the act of directing one's attention or effort towards a specific goal or object. Ludwig confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to focus" is a grammatically sound and frequently used infinitive phrase that conveys the act of concentrating or directing attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and versatile, fitting in diverse contexts from news and media to academic writing. When using "to focus", ensure the subject and object are clear to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like ""to concentrate"" or ""to pay attention"" can be employed for variety, but "to focus" remains a straightforward and effective choice for expressing the intention to concentrate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to concentrate

This alternative emphasizes directing one's thoughts or efforts intensely on something.

to pay attention

This phrase suggests giving careful thought or consideration to something.

to direct attention

This implies guiding or pointing attention towards a specific subject or task.

to zero in on

This idiom suggests narrowing down one's attention to a precise point or detail.

to center on

This means to have something as the main subject or interest.

to give priority

This indicates assigning greater importance or attention to something.

to address

This implies dealing with or focusing on a particular issue or problem.

to target

This suggests aiming or directing efforts towards a specific goal or objective.

to emphasize

This means to give special importance or prominence to something.

to highlight

This suggests drawing attention to a particular aspect or feature.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to focus" is typically used as an infinitive indicating the act of concentrating on something. For example, "I need "to focus" on my studies this week."

What are some alternatives to "to focus"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "to concentrate", "to pay attention", or "to direct attention".

Is it correct to say "focus on" instead of "to focus"?

While "to focus" is an infinitive form, "focus on" is an imperative or a verb phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example, "I need "to focus"" versus "Please "focus on" your work."

What's the difference between "to focus" and "focusing"?

"To focus" is the infinitive form, while "focusing" is the present participle or gerund form. Use "focusing" when it functions as a noun or is part of a continuous verb tense. For example, "To focus is important" versus "I am "focusing" on my task."