Meaning & use
refocusing
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“refocusing” is a form of “refocus”.
Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
Present participle of refocus: turning your attention, effort or resources to a different or earlier goal.
Grammar: With an object: refocusing our efforts. Without one, usually followed by on: refocusing on the main task.
Patterns
- refocus on something
- refocus something on something
She is refocusing on her studies after a busy semester.
The company is refocusing its efforts on online sales.
After the argument, they spent a day refocusing the project.
verbtransitive or intransitivetechnical
Present participle of refocus in optics: adjusting a lens or camera so the picture becomes sharp again.
Grammar: Takes an object when you name the device: refocusing the camera.
Patterns
- refocus something
He kept refocusing the microscope as the sample moved.
The photographer is refocusing before the next shot.
The lens needs refocusing after every zoom.
Word forms
| base form | refocus |
|---|---|
| third person singular | refocuses |
| past tense | refocused |
Common combinations
- refocusing on
- We are refocusing on what customers actually want.
- refocusing attention
- Refocusing attention on the goal helped the team finish.
- refocusing efforts
- The charity is refocusing its efforts on education.
- refocusing the lens
- Refocusing the lens made the leaves look crisp.
- spend time refocusing
- He spent the weekend refocusing before the exam.
Synonyms and how they differ
- redirecting
- Redirecting stresses pointing something in a new direction, while refocusing implies returning to a clear central aim.
- readjusting
- Readjusting is broader and can mean any small change, not necessarily about attention.
- reorienting
- Reorienting is more formal and suggests a bigger shift in overall direction.
- recentering
- Recentering suggests getting back to a calm or balanced state more than moving to a new target.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: refocusing or refocussing?
refocusing vs refocussing
This is a less common British spelling of the same word; American English uses refocusing.
Practice
The startup is ____ its marketing on younger customers after poor results.
Choose one answer.
Refocusing fits because it means turning efforts to a new target, followed by on. The other options do not describe changing the aim of marketing.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “refocusing”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.