were focused on

USAGE SUMMARY

"were focused on" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone was giving their full attention to something or someone. For example, "The students were focused on their teacher as she explained the lesson."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Last year we were focused on one goal," she said.

The New York Times - Sports

"The ones we were focused on were Garrincha and Didi.

BBC

"They were focused on their tomato picking.

The New York Times

They were focused on the bridge itself".

The New York Times

"They were focused on conservation instead.

The Guardian

Resources were focused on responding to 911 calls.

The New York Times

Before, all our resources were focused on street prostitution".

The Guardian

The rest of his energies were focused on his family.

The New York Times

"They were focused on getting the food out.

The New York Times

"During the Intifada, people were focused on survival eating".

The New York Times

That was what we and Michael were focused on.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "were focused on" to clearly convey a state of directed attention or effort towards a specific goal or subject. Ensure that the subject performing the focusing action is clearly identified.

Common error

Avoid using "were focused on" without a clearly defined subject. For example, instead of saying "Focus was on the problem", specify who was focusing: "The team were focused on the problem".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were focused on" typically functions as part of the predicate in a sentence, indicating the state of attention or concentration of the subject. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

45%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "were focused on" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a state of directed attention or effort. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile enough for various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. When using this phrase, ensure that the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "were concentrating on" or "were dedicated to" for slight variations in meaning. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its widespread use and acceptability across different domains, making it a reliable choice for expressing concentration or dedication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were concentrating on

Replaces "focused" with "concentrating", emphasizing the mental effort being applied.

were centered on

Substitutes "focused" with "centered", suggesting that something is the main point of attention.

were dedicated to

Changes the verb to "dedicated", implying a commitment or devotion to the task.

were intent on

Uses "intent" instead of "focused", highlighting a strong determination or purpose.

were geared towards

Replaces "focused" with "geared", indicating that efforts were aligned or directed toward a specific outcome.

were directed at

Emphasizes the direction of focus, suggesting that attention was intentionally aimed.

were preoccupied with

Highlights that the focus was so strong it caused preoccupation.

were absorbed in

Indicates a complete immersion in the subject, suggesting deep engagement.

were fixated on

Suggests an intense, almost obsessive focus on something.

were zeroing in on

Implies a precise and deliberate adjustment of focus to a specific point.

FAQs

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

You can use "were focused on" to indicate that someone or something was giving their full attention to a specific subject or task. For instance, "The researchers "were focused on" analyzing the data".

What are some alternatives to "were focused on"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "were concentrating on", "were centered on", or "were dedicated to" instead of "were focused on".

Is "were focused on" formal or informal?

"Were focused on" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "were focused on" and "were focusing on"?

"Were focused on" suggests a state of being or a general direction of attention, while "were focusing on" implies a continuous or active process of concentrating. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the state or the action.