focus
To give special attention or effort to one particular person, thing, or activity. It also means to adjust your eyes or a lens so that you can see an image clearly.
Examples
3 of 5I need to focus on my homework tonight so I can finish it early.
I need to give all my attention to my school tasks this evening.
The committee will focus its attention on improving public transport.
The group will direct its effort toward making buses and trains better.
Hey, focus! You are looking out the window instead of listening.
Pay attention! You are being distracted by things outside.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a camera lens: when you focus, the blurry image becomes clear. Do the same with your mind to see your goals clearly.
Quick Quiz
If you want to pass the exam, you really need to _____ on your notes.
Correct!
The correct answer is: focus
Examples
I need to focus on my homework tonight so I can finish it early.
everydayI need to give all my attention to my school tasks this evening.
The committee will focus its attention on improving public transport.
formalThe group will direct its effort toward making buses and trains better.
Hey, focus! You are looking out the window instead of listening.
informalPay attention! You are being distracted by things outside.
This research paper will focus on the causes of the industrial revolution.
academicThis academic writing will specifically examine why the industrial revolution started.
We should focus our marketing budget on social media advertisements.
businessWe need to spend our advertising money mainly on social media platforms.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
in focus
appearing clear and not blurry
the focus of attention
the person or thing everyone is looking at
bring into focus
to make something clear or easy to understand
Often Confused With
Concentrate implies intense mental effort, while focus often refers to the direction of attention or physical sight.
Center refers to a middle physical point, whereas focus refers to a point of interest or clarity.
Usage Notes
The verb 'focus' is almost always followed by the preposition 'on' when it has an object. It is a regular verb (focused/focusing), though it can be spelled with a double 's' (focussed) in British English.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to include the word 'on' after the verb, saying 'I must focus my study' instead of 'I must focus on my study.'
Memory Tip
Think of a camera lens: when you focus, the blurry image becomes clear. Do the same with your mind to see your goals clearly.
Word Origin
From the Latin word 'focus', which originally meant 'hearth' or 'fireplace', the central gathering point of a home.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern professional environments, particularly in Western cultures, 'focus' is often used as a buzzword for productivity and efficiency.
Quick Quiz
If you want to pass the exam, you really need to _____ on your notes.
Correct!
The correct answer is: focus
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
Attention is the act of listening, looking at, or thinking a...
clarityClarity is the quality of being easy to see, hear, or unders...
concentrationConcentration is the ability to give all your attention to a...
visionVision refers to the physical ability to see using the eyes,...
priorityPriority refers to the condition of being regarded as more i...
goalA goal is a specific result or purpose that a person or orga...
Related Words
syngravent
C1To formally reach a collective agreement or to consolidate disparate ideas into a singular, authoritative consensus through deliberation. It is typically used in academic or high-level professional contexts to describe the synthesis of various perspectives into a unified stance.
intracursancy
C1The quality or state of occurring or being contained within a specific course, flow, or sequence of events. It describes phenomena that remain internal to a system or process without deviating into external paths.
homoaltersion
C1To systematically modify a component or individual within a group so that it aligns identically with the properties of its counterparts. It describes the act of enforcing homogeneity through specific, calculated adjustments to maintain structural consistency.
homogratacy
C1To achieve a state of collective agreement or uniform satisfaction within a group by aligning interests or expressing mutual gratitude. It involves the process of harmonizing conflicting viewpoints into a single, mutually pleasing outcome.
multipatership
C1Multipatership refers to the biological phenomenon where a single litter or brood of offspring is sired by more than one father. In sociology, it describes the state of a woman having children with multiple different partners, often referred to as multi-partnered fertility.
periluddom
C1A noun referring to the state or environment of anticipation and ritualized preparation that occurs just before a competitive event, game, or performance. It encompasses the collective psychological atmosphere and physical activities shared by participants and spectators before the main action begins.
circummentcy
C1The act or state of bypassing restrictions, rules, or obstacles through strategic maneuvering or the exploitation of loopholes. It refers specifically to the quality of being able to find indirect routes to achieve a goal while avoiding direct confrontation with a system.
adcedent
C1Describing a person, entity, or state that is in the process of acceding to an existing agreement, treaty, or organization. It refers to the act of joining or consenting to be bound by terms previously established by others.
misvalness
C1To incorrectly estimate or judge the intrinsic worth or significance of something, particularly by failing to recognize its true essence or state. It refers to the act of assigning a wrong value to an object or concept based on a misunderstanding of its fundamental nature.
homotactible
C1Describing objects, surfaces, or body parts that are sensitive to touch in an identical way or occupy the same position in a tactile arrangement. It is a technical term used to compare sensory perception across different areas or specimens.
Comments (0)
Login to CommentStart learning languages for free
Start Learning Free