Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

I came across the street to meet you

I came across an old photo while cleaning the attic

The bridge came across the river

Which sentence uses 'come across' correctly?

She comes across as very confident in interviews

He came across the finish line first

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

The bus will come by this route

Good jobs are hard to come by these days

I come by the office every morning at 8

Which sentence uses 'come by' correctly?

Can you come by my house later for coffee?

The train came by the station too fast

She comes by the grocery store home

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The new iPhone will come out next month

I need to come out from the house now

The new iPhone will come out next month

Which sentence uses 'come out' correctly?

The truth finally came out after the investigation

The students came out to the classroom

Understanding the Phrasal Verb: Focus On

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'focus on' means to give particular attention to something or someone, concentrating one's mental or visual attention.

Examples in context

You should focus on developing your skills to advance in your career.
They focused on completing the project by the deadline to satisfy the client's requirements.
When you focus on the positive aspects, your entire perspective can change for the better.

📖 Definition

The phrasal verb 'focus on' means to give particular attention to something or someone, concentrating one's mental or visual attention.

📝 Grammar Info

Separable

The phrasal verb cannot be separated by its object.

Neutral

It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Transitive

Yes

It always requires an object to identify what is being focused on.

📊 Conjugation Table

Tense	Form	Example
Present Simple	focus on	She focuses on her work every morning to stay productive.
Past Simple	focused on	He focused on improving his skills last year.
Present Continuous	focusing on	They are focusing on the new marketing strategy.
Present Perfect	have focused on	I have focused on the project for weeks now.

💡 When to Use

paying attention in meetings

Use 'focus on' to describe giving full attention during discussions or presentations, ensuring nothing important is missed.

Example: "During the conference, I focused on the key speakers."

studying for exams

Helpful for indicating concentration on academic materials or specific topics to prepare effectively for examinations.

Example: "She focused on mathematics and science before her finals."

work-related tasks

Describes dedicating attention and resources to completing specific professional tasks or projects.

Example: "The team focused on the client's requirements to meet their expectations."

⚠️ Common Mistakes

missing object

❌ Wrong: I need to focus for better results.

✅ Correct: I need to focus on my studies for better results.

💡 Tip: Always mention what you are focusing on.

incorrect preposition

❌ Wrong: She is focusing at her new business.

✅ Correct: She is focusing on her new business.

💡 Tip: Use 'on' not 'at' with 'focus'.

confusing tense

❌ Wrong: He focus on yesterday's meeting notes.

✅ Correct: He focused on yesterday's meeting notes.

💡 Tip: Ensure verb tense agrees with the time.

Practice

FOCUS ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Listen and repeat the audio as many times as needed to improve your pronunciation
Use the audio as a dictation exercise, trying to write what you hear and understand
Create a new sentence following the structure of the example sentences

Examples in Context

1
Listen to example

You should focus on developing your skills to advance in your career.
How National Parks Came to Be
2
Listen to example

They focused on completing the project by the deadline to satisfy the client's requirements.
How to Become a Hiker
3
Listen to example

When you focus on the positive aspects, your entire perspective can change for the better.
Bringing Animals Back to Life

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

concentrate on attend to

Antonyms

ignore

Quick Check

Complete the sentence with the correct phrasal verb:

"To achieve success, it is crucial to ___ on your goals."

ignore

focus on

avoid

distract

"To focus on the path ahead allows clarity in direction, for distractions are but shadows of the unessential in life's tapestry."

In Context

During World War II, British mathematician Alan Turing focused on the enigma machine's codes that the Germans used for secure communication. At Bletchley Park, Turing and his team concentrated intensely on deciphering these codes, which were considered nearly impossible to crack. The team kept their attention on every detail, constructing new machines to break the German codes. By mid-1941, thanks to Turing's methodical focus on the problem, his Bombe machine successfully decrypted thousands of messages. His perseverance in focusing on this daunting challenge is credited with shortening the war by several years and saving countless lives. In late 1945, Turing was honored for his key role in the war effort, having transformed the ways in which people focused on cryptography, mathematics, and machine computation. Turing's legacy remains an extraordinary example of what can be achieved when one focuses intently on solving pressing problems. Despite later facing personal challenges and societal injustices, his pioneering work is celebrated, and today, many in the field of computer science continue to focus on his contributions and innovative thinking.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Focus On

What is the origin of focus on?

The phrasal verb 'focus on' originated from the Latin word 'focus', meaning hearth or fireplace, which later evolved to refer to a central point of concentration.

Can 'focus on' be used in formal and informal contexts?

'Focus on' is versatile and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, allowing it to denote attention or concentration in various settings.

What is the difference between 'focus on' and 'concentrate on'?

While both suggest paying attention, 'focus on' is often more general, whereas 'concentrate on' might imply intense or deep attention to a task.

Browse All National Parks Phrasal Verbs

About the Author

Alessandra Nóbrega

History teacher who fell in love with English! This passion led me to specialize in languages and work on bilingual education projects. With 37 years in education, I believe learning should be meaningful – not just memorization.

Learn more about my journey

📖 Definition

📖 Definition

📝 Grammar Info

📊 Conjugation Table

💡 When to Use

⚠️ Common Mistakes

FOCUS ON - IN PRACTICE

Study Method Proposal

Examples in Context

Synonyms & Antonyms

Quick Check

In Context

❓ Frequently Asked Questions about Focus On

Related Phrasal Verbs

Alessandra Nóbrega