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Tinanam0102 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Focus

Hi teachers,

Excerpts:

Police also said Saturday that they were now focusing their search efforts in Bolton, Ont., and the surrounding area.

1. Why is not "focusing on"?

Thanks

Tinanam
  

Top answer

tinanam0102 1. Why is not "focusing on"? It could have been on instead of in , but I think the writer was thinking like this: The on phrase after focus tells the thing that receives the attention of the focus.

— CalifJim

  • tinanam0102 1.
  • Why is not "focusing on"?
  • It could have been on instead of in , but I think the writer was thinking like this: The on phrase after focus tells the thing that receives the attention of the focus.
  • This sentence does not include the on phrase, but you can add one if you wish.
  • , and the surrounding area.
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16 Answers
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tinanam01021. Why is not "focusing on"?
It could have been on instead of in, but I think the writer was thinking like this:

The on phrase after focus tells the thing that receives the attention of the focus. This sentence does not include the on phrase, but you can add one if you wish.

Police also said Saturday t
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Hi CalifJim,

Thanks for your help. Is this sentence alright and meant the same as the original?

Police also said Saturday that they were now focusing on their search efforts in Bolton, Ont., and the surrounding area.

Thanks again.

Tinanam
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tinanam0102focusing on their search efforts
No.

They were placing the book on the shelf.

is not the same as

They were placing on the book the shelf.

They were directing their efforts toward solving the puzzle.

is not the same as

They were directing toward their efforts solving the pu
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Hi CalifJim,

Thanks for your examples. Is the second example in each group not grammatical except?

The dictionary has two examples:

1. Let's focus our attention on Tom and discuss his achievements so far. (transitive)

2. Let's focus on Fred and discuss his progress. (intransitive)

In this formula, are they meant the same?

Let's focus on Fre
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Maybe this two cents can help a little...

You should focus on your home work instead of wasting time on vedio games. This means "direct your effort to..." (an object) You need "on " in this sentence.

You should focus all your time in studying for the final. "Focus all your time..." means concenrate your brai
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tinanam0102Is the second example in each group not grammatical
Yes, that's correct. The second in each pair is ungrammatical.

tinanam0102In this formula, are they meant the same?
Let's focus on Fred and discuss his progress.
Let's focus our attention on Fred and discuss his progress.
Yes. 'focus on Fred'
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Hi CJ,

"Yes. 'focus on Fred' - intransitive. "

Does the prepositional phrase "on Fred" function as an adverbial here?
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AnonymousDoes the prepositional phrase "on Fred" function as an adverbial here?
I suppose you could say that. I don't know what else it could function as. It's not a verb or noun or adjective phrase, so by the process of elimination it's adverbial.
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Thank you, CJ, for your useful reply.
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Hi CalifJim,

Thanks for your helpEmotion: smile.
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