unfocused

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unfocused" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that lacks clarity, direction, or concentration, such as thoughts, goals, or attention. Example: "Her presentation was unfocused, making it difficult for the audience to follow her main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

On its own merits, this unfocused, pompous and silly take on biblical history might all too quickly be forgotten.

The Guardian - Film

The party was criticised for its unfocused strategy while traditional Labour voters considered the party's association with the Conservatives under the Better Together umbrella campaign to be a betrayal.

The Guardian

But this is something else – an unfocused creation of conservative leftovers, an accident of thoughts that have aged over decades into afterthoughts.

The Guardian - Opinion

Far too many diversified firms have become unfocused and sloppily run.

The Economist

Her sweet, unfocused nature will serve her well when she meets Roger Greenberg Ben Stillerr).Roger is a failed musician who wrecked his band's first record deal in the 1980s because he feared having to compromise his principles.

The Economist

And even corporate aspirations in the rich world lag far behind how much the public expects business to contribute to society.According to Mr Porter, despite a surge of interest in CSR, in most cases it remains "too unfocused, too shotgun, too many supporting someone's pet project with no real connection to the business".

The Economist

This is the main reason why, unfocused as it is, this last work is at times an almost unbearably poignant memento of a great artistic legacy .There's nothing to be alarmed about but my life seems to be over," says Gito, late in the play.

The Economist

Clearly, no sane San Diegan, then or now, would want the vast, unfocused urban sprawl, congested freeways and polluted air that their neighbours some 120 miles to the north have to suffer.

The Economist

In 1968 Gerhard Richter portrayed him in unfocused black and white, almost as if he were a dream or a fading memory.

The Economist

In America, executives fear lawsuits if they appear to be sacking too many people of one sex or ethnic group.Even if done well, a bout of lay-offs can leave a company traumatised and unfocused.

The Economist

All that gets tedious after a while.The protests' vague message chimes with a public sense of unfocused dismay.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or initiative as "unfocused", provide specific examples of what contributes to the lack of focus. This adds clarity and helps in identifying areas for improvement.

Common error

Avoid using "unfocused" as a vague criticism without providing concrete examples. Instead of simply stating that a presentation was "unfocused", explain which aspects lacked clarity or direction.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "unfocused" primarily functions to describe a noun as lacking clarity, direction, or concentration. Ludwig examples show it modifying nouns like "strategy", "creation", and "nature", indicating a deficiency in focus. According to Ludwig AI, the word is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "unfocused" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes something lacking clarity, direction, or concentration. As Ludwig AI states, the word is correct and usable in written English. It appears most often in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Formal & Business contexts. To enhance writing, provide specific examples to highlight the lack of focus, and consider alternatives like "scattered" or "disorganized" for nuance. "Unfocused" serves primarily to critique or evaluate, pointing out deficiencies in focus and suggesting the need for improvement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lacking focus

Direct synonym, replacing "unfocused" with a more explicit phrase.

scattered

Implies a lack of concentration, suggesting thoughts or efforts are dispersed.

disorganized

Highlights a lack of structure or systematic arrangement.

inattentive

Emphasizes a lack of attention or mindfulness.

distracted

Focuses on being drawn away from the primary task or thought.

rambling

Suggests a lack of clear direction in speech or writing.

diffuse

Indicates a spread out or diluted focus.

vague

Emphasizes a lack of clarity or precision.

without direction

Highlights the absence of a clear goal or path.

aimless

Implies a lack of purpose or objective.

FAQs

How can I use "unfocused" in a sentence?

You can use "unfocused" to describe something lacking clarity or direction. For example, "The presentation was "unfocused", making it difficult to follow the main points."

What can I say instead of "unfocused"?

Alternatives include "scattered", "disorganized", or "lacking focus", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "unfocused strategy" or "disorganized strategy"?

Both "unfocused strategy" and "disorganized strategy" can be correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Unfocused strategy" suggests a lack of clear goals, while "disorganized strategy" implies a lack of structure and planning.

What's the difference between "unfocused" and "distracted"?

"Unfocused" describes a general lack of clarity or direction, while "distracted" indicates that attention is being drawn away from something. You might be "unfocused" because you haven't defined your goals, but you're "distracted" when something external pulls your attention away.