collocations.org

Collocations for focus - noun

1. 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.

2. 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.

Collocations for focus - verb

1. 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.

2. 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.

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