to focus on

USAGE SUMMARY

"to focus on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to draw attention to a particular element - for example, "The report will focus on changes to the industry over the past 5 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I wanted to focus on one man.

Los Angeles Times

Try choosing one feature to focus on.

WikiHow

Got to focus on that".

The New York Times

Going to focus on work!

The New Yorker

It tends not to focus on life.

Independent

They used to focus on perfume.

The New York Times

"We need to focus on what works".

The New Yorker

It fails to focus on dangerous chemicals.

The Economist

We need to focus on work".

The New York Times

"Individual schools decide what to focus on".

The New York Times

"We need to focus on that fact.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to focus on", ensure the object of your focus is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of "We need to focus on improvement", specify "We need to focus on improving customer service".

Common error

Avoid using "to focus on" when the context implies a general overview rather than a specific concentration. Instead of "The book focuses on history", consider "The book covers history" if it provides a broad survey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to focus on" serves as an intransitive phrasal verb. It indicates the act of directing attention, effort, or resources towards a specific subject or area. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

28%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to focus on" is a versatile and widely used phrasal verb that directs attention or effort towards a specific subject. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. Its frequent occurrence across diverse contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources, underscores its adaptability and prevalence in both formal and informal communication. While alternatives like "to concentrate on" and "to emphasize" exist, "to focus on" remains a clear and effective choice for highlighting key areas of interest. Ensure the object of your focus is clearly defined and do not confuse the act of focusing with a general overview. This will ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to concentrate on

This alternative suggests a more intense level of mental effort and sustained attention.

to pay attention to

This alternative indicates giving consideration or notice to something.

to direct attention to

This alternative is more formal and suggests deliberately guiding focus towards a particular area.

to emphasize

This alternative highlights the importance of something, drawing attention to it.

to prioritize

This alternative suggests ranking something as more important and giving it preferential focus.

to highlight

This alternative suggests bringing something to the forefront, making it more noticeable.

to target

This alternative indicates aiming efforts or resources towards a specific goal or area.

to zero in on

This alternative implies a precise and targeted focus, often used in technical or investigative contexts.

to address

This alternative indicates dealing with or giving attention to a particular issue or problem.

to study

This alternative means to examine something carefully in order to learn more about it.

FAQs

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

The phrase "to focus on" is used to indicate where attention or effort is being directed. For example, "The company decided "to focus on" sustainable practices" or "The lecture will "to focus on" recent advances in medical research".

What are some alternatives to "to focus on"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to concentrate on", "to emphasize", or "to highlight".

Is it better to say "focus on" or "focus upon"?

"Focus on" is generally preferred and more common in modern English. "Focus upon" is less frequent and can sound more formal or archaic, but it is still grammatically correct. For most situations, "focus on" is the better choice.

What's the difference between "to focus on" and "to dwell on"?

"To focus on" implies directing attention to something, often with a specific purpose. "To dwell on", however, means to think or talk about something at length, often in a negative or unproductive way. "To focus on" solutions, while "to dwell on" problems.