OXFORD Collocations | dictionary for students of English

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.