which focussed on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which focussed on" is correct and usable in written English, although "focussed" is a less common spelling; "focused" is more widely accepted.
You can use it when describing the main subject or theme of a discussion, study, or piece of writing. Example: "The research paper, which focussed on climate change impacts, provided valuable insights into environmental policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The study, which focussed on one adult male and three of his adult children, makes a persuasive argument that there is a "powerful dominant gene" that makes people heinous.

The New Yorker

One building held the video archive of World Wrestling Entertainment; nearby, another collection, which focussed on one of New York's baseball teams, contained around fifty thousand tapes (not just Major League games but farm-team games, too).

The New Yorker

As if to underscore this point, within a day Shrum's firm had produced seven new TV commercials, only one of which focussed on national security.

The New Yorker

Each item represented a competence and was answered by means of a two-part scale, one of which focussed on the value placed on the radiographers' competence and the other on the frequency of its use.

Insights into Imaging

In 1979, Burger's Daughter – a novel which focussed on an activist family – became one of three of her books banned by the apartheid regime's strict censorship laws.

The Guardian

The Cape Action Plan for the Environment (CAPE), which focussed on the Cape Floristic Region (CFR), is one of the more advanced of current initiatives.

Biological Conservation

We sought to improve evidence in this important policy area for public health through the rigorous evaluation of one of the UK's Welfare to Work policy initiatives which focussed on facilitating IB recipients' return to work.

BMC Public Health

Kerviel chose a program at the University of Lyon which focussed on oversight of investment banking.

The New Yorker

In 1983, Kahn wrote a Talk story about Rooney which focussed on his burgeoning success as a published author.

The New Yorker

Cazenove issued a positive note on UK insurers, which focussed on improved growth prospects and the possibility of industry consolidation.

The Guardian - Business

Sakharov's thinking here echoes Hannah Arendt's concept of the "banality of evil," which focussed on the willful rejection of thought and depth.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which focussed on", ensure that the 'which' clause is nonrestrictive, providing additional information rather than being essential to the sentence's meaning. Use commas to set off the clause.

Common error

Avoid using 'that' instead of 'which' when introducing a nonrestrictive clause. 'That' is typically used for restrictive clauses that are essential to the sentence's meaning, while 'which' introduces additional, nonessential information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which focussed on" functions as a relative clause, specifically a nonrestrictive (or nonessential) clause. It provides additional information about the noun it modifies without being crucial to the sentence's core meaning. Ludwig shows numerous examples where this phrase introduces further details about a subject under discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

40%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "which focussed on" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce nonrestrictive clauses, providing additional context or detail about a particular subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is widely accepted and frequently encountered across various domains, especially in news, media, and scientific publications. While "focused" is a more common spelling, "focussed" remains correct, particularly in British English. When employing this phrase, ensure the 'which' clause is properly set off with commas and consider alternative phrasings like "which concentrated on" or "which centered on" to refine your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which concentrated on

Emphasizes a deliberate and sustained focus on a particular subject.

which centered on

Suggests that the subject was the main point or core of the discussion.

which emphasized

Indicates that the subject was given particular importance or prominence.

which highlighted

Implies that the subject was brought to attention or made more noticeable.

which revolved around

Indicates that the subject was a central theme or recurring element.

which addressed

Suggests that the subject was directly dealt with or discussed.

which concerned itself with

Highlights a specific and intentional engagement with a particular subject matter.

which dealt with

Suggests a direct handling or management of the specified subject.

which examined

Indicates a detailed investigation or analysis of the subject.

which dwelled on

Implies a more prolonged or detailed focus, potentially with emotional weight.

FAQs

How do I use "which focussed on" in a sentence?

Use "which focussed on" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause that provides additional, nonessential information about the subject. For example, "The study, "which focussed on" climate change, revealed significant findings."

Is "focussed" or "focused" the correct spelling?

Both spellings are correct, but "focused" is more common in American English, while "focussed" is more common in British English. Choose the spelling that aligns with your intended audience and style.

What can I say instead of "which focussed on"?

You can use alternatives like "which centered on", "which concentrated on", or "which emphasized depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to use "which focussed on"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "which focussed on" to introduce a nonrestrictive clause. Just ensure that the clause is properly set off with commas and that the spelling of 'focussed' aligns with your intended audience.