2
general::
verb give attention to sth ADV. heavily, largely, mainly, particularly, primarily, principally | entirely, exclusively, solely The study focuses exclusively on secondary schools. | increasingly | fully | firmly The attention of the news media was firmly focused on the elections. | specifically | clearly | directly | closely, sharply | narrowly | initially | inevitably He inevitably focused on his own concerns, with only a passing query about Jeff. | traditionally Degree courses have traditionally focused on the established great writers of the past. VERB + FOCUS need to | try to | decide to | tend to | help (to) Think of some questions that will help focus the discussion. PREP. on/upon We need to focus upon the main issues. PHRASES highly/tightly focused The department undertakes highly focused research. | narrowly focused The study was criticized for being too narrowly focused. direct your eyes towards sth ADV. automatically VERB + FOCUS try to She blinked and tried to focus. PREP. on/upon The eye will automatically focus on the small group in the foreground., noun centre of interest/attention ADJ. central, main, major, primary, prime, principal | important, special | greater, increased | clear, sharp, strong The company's restructuring is designed to give a sharper focus on key growth markets. | narrow I found the focus of the debate too narrow. VERB + FOCUS act as, give sb/sth, provide (sb/sth with), serve as Cities have always acted as the principal focus of political life. | change, shift At this stage of the trial the defence lawyer often shifts the focus onto the victim. | bring sth into This case has brought the problem of drug abuse in schools into sharp focus. | come into The question of compensation comes into focus. FOCUS + VERB be on sb/sth Our primary focus this term will be on group work. | shift The focus has now shifted towards the problem of long-term unemployment. PREP. ~ for She became a focus for all his anger. | ~ on an increased focus on younger people PHRASES a change/shift of focus, the focus of attention He found he was now their main focus of attention. point/distance at which sth is clearly seen ADJ. sharp | soft soft focus shots of cuddly animals VERB + FOCUS come into When I got glasses suddenly the whole world came into focus (= became clear to see). PREP. in ~ The binoculars were not in focus (= were not showing things clearly). | out of ~ The children's faces are badly out of focus (= not clearly shown) in the photograph.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
3
general::
focus (sth) on/upon sb/sth
to give a lot of attention to one particular person, subject or thing
• Tonight's programme focuses on the way that homelessness affects the young.
• When the kitchen is finished I'm going to focus my attention on the garden and get that sorted out.
Cambridge-Phrasal Verbs
4
general::
focus
adjectives
the main focus
• The main focus of our attention will be on providing an efficient service.
the central focus
(= most important )
• The film’s central focus is the relationship between the two women.
the primary focus
(= main or most important )
• The economic situation is likely to be the primary focus of the discussion.
verbs
become the focus
• When you give a talk you become the focus of attention.
provide a focus
• The church provided a focus for the community.
change the focus
• He changed the focus from general to specific issues.
shift the focus
(= move it to something else )
• Opposition MPs accused the Prime Minister of trying to shift the focus onto other issues.
the focus changes/shifts
• The focus of the negotiations shifted to working conditions.
phrases
the focus is on something
• The focus is now on improving students’ communication skills.
the focus of attention
• In this section of the talk the focus of attention will be on statistics.
a focus of interest
• Animal behaviour has long been a focus of interest for scientists.
the focus of debate
(= the thing which people are discussing )
• The strike became the focus of debate in the media.
the focus of concern
(= the thing which people are worried about )
• The spread of the disease has become the main focus of concern.
a change/shift in focus
• Over the years, there has been a change of focus from treatment to prevention.
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