focus on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Direct attention or effort on something
Why “on”? Eyes or thoughts reach one point and stay there.
“Focus on the main task.”
“Focus on how the two plans are different.”
“Maya asked the office team to focus on the three most urgent jobs.”
Common mistake
Let's focus on to improve quality.
Let's focus on improving quality.
After focus on, use the -ing form.
Natural collocations
The word partners “focus on” most often appears with — learn the phrase, not just the verb.
Test yourself
“Focus on the main task.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
bear on
Same on pattern: attention
Be relevant or related to something
check on
Same on pattern: attention
Make sure someone or something is safe or all right
chew on
Same on pattern: attention
Think carefully about something for a while
dwell on
Same on pattern: attention
Spend too much time thinking or talking about something
look on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch something happen without taking part; Regard or consider someone or something in a particular way
spy on
Same on pattern: attention
Watch someone secretly
touch on
Same on pattern: attention
Mention a topic briefly
watch on
Same on pattern: attention
Observe an event from the sidelines without participating
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