to concentrate

Examples

• All

• You start feeling lethargic, it's hard to concentrate, you get irritable with people.

• He needs to concentrate fully on his studies if he wants to pass the exam.

• And recently I kind of just want to concentrate on myself.

• If boys engage in more physical activities during play, they will concentrate better during academic activities.

  Academic text (2008)

• I can actually sit and concentrate on just one thought and not get anxious.

  Academic text (2015)

• And Jordan, can you concentrate on doing your homework?

  Mulligan Brothers Interviews

• Maybe you oughta concentrate on your driving a little bit.

  The Courier (2012)

• Tourists visiting the U.K. tend to concentrate on London and the home counties.

  Academic text (1999)

• House lawmakers argued that the program should concentrate on more fundamental, peer-reviewed research.

  Academic text (1999)

• I need to concentrate.

  Demon Slayer (2003)

Synonyms

F

to focus

vsto concentrate

∞ 2.6

To direct attention or thoughts toward something specific

is the plain act of directing attention without adding clarity

F

to focus on

vsto concentrate

∞ 2.0

Give most attention and effort to one person or task

matches this but can be used more generally

P

to pay attention

vsto concentrate

∞ 1.6

To focus on someone or something and notice carefully

involves directing effort as well as simply watching or listening

D

to devote

vsto concentrate

465 3.7

Give time, effort and money to a person, project or cause

focuses more narrowly on mental effort and immediate attention

D

to dedicate

vsto concentrate

284 3.7

To give your time and effort completely to a person, activity, or cause

is about directing attention and effort, not total life commitment

C

to concentrate on

vsto concentrate

279 3.1

Give your full attention to one activity or subject

is the same idea phrased as the general action

D

to direct

vsto concentrate

245 1.8

To point something like light or attention at a target

is focused specifically on directing mental attention rather than any object

C

to center

vsto concentrate

• US

210 2.8

To focus most attention on one thing

is the act of directing attention rather than arranging importance

S

to settle on

vsto concentrate

55 3.1

To fix your eyes or attention on one thing

is about actively directing attention rather than just becoming fixed

Z

to zero in on

vsto concentrate

44 4.2

To give most attention to one person or thing

is similar but may be less narrow or intense

A

to apply oneself to

vsto concentrate

41 4.2

To work hard and focus on a task

emphasizes full direction of attention at a moment rather than sustained work

P

to pore

vsto concentrate

33 7.2

To look at or read something very carefully for a long time

is broader, covering attention directed to activities beyond reading

K

to keep one's eye on the ball

vsto concentrate

• Informal

15 5.6

Pay attention to the main goal and avoid distractions

is broader and applies to attention on any single subject

P

to put one's mind to it

vsto concentrate

14 3.5

To focus all your attention and effort on achieving something

is the general act of directing attention rather than goal phrasing

F

to focalize

vsto concentrate

• Specialized

8.6

To make action or an effect happen mainly in one place

is the everyday act of directing attention rather than technical focusing

Antonyms

D

to distract

513 2.1

To make someone stop paying attention to what they are doing or thinking about

Phrasal Verbs

C

to concentrate on

279 3.1

Give your full attention to one activity or subject

Compounds

O

orange-juice concentrate

1 3.3

A thick frozen orange juice that you mix with water to drink

T

tomato concentrate

2.6

A thick red paste made by removing most water from tomatoes to add flavour

How Focused

to immerse in

28 4.2

to apply oneself

10 3.9

to concentrate

561 3.4

to pay attention

∞ 1.6

to attend

169 2.7

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology