A2 verb Neutral #412 most common

focus

/ˈfoʊkəs/

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 5
1

I 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.

2

The committee will focus its attention on improving public transport.

The group will direct its effort toward making buses and trains better.

3

Hey, focus! You are looking out the window instead of listening.

Pay attention! You are being distracted by things outside.

Word Family

Noun
focus
Verb
focus
Adverb
focussedly
Adjective
focused
Related
focal point
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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

1

I need to focus on my homework tonight so I can finish it early.

everyday

I need to give all my attention to my school tasks this evening.

2

The committee will focus its attention on improving public transport.

formal

The group will direct its effort toward making buses and trains better.

3

Hey, focus! You are looking out the window instead of listening.

informal

Pay attention! You are being distracted by things outside.

4

This research paper will focus on the causes of the industrial revolution.

academic

This academic writing will specifically examine why the industrial revolution started.

5

We should focus our marketing budget on social media advertisements.

business

We need to spend our advertising money mainly on social media platforms.

Word Family

Noun
focus
Verb
focus
Adverb
focussedly
Adjective
focused
Related
focal point

Common Collocations

focus on to direct attention toward something
main focus the primary thing being considered
stay focused to continue giving attention to a task
lose focus to become distracted from a task
sharp focus a very clear image or very specific attention

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

focus vs concentrate

Concentrate implies intense mental effort, while focus often refers to the direction of attention or physical sight.

focus vs center

Center refers to a middle physical point, whereas focus refers to a point of interest or clarity.

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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.

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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.

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Word Origin

From the Latin word 'focus', which originally meant 'hearth' or 'fireplace', the central gathering point of a home.

Grammar Patterns

focus on + noun/pronoun focus on + -ing (gerund) focus something on someone/something
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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 Words

syngravent

C1

To 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

C1

The 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

C1

To 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

C1

To 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

C1

Multipatership 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

C1

A 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

C1

The 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

C1

Describing 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

C1

To 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

C1

Describing 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.

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