If you have ever second-guessed yourself on what the plural form of focus was and also wanted to learn more about the word, it’s grammar, it’s history, and plenty of examples of it used in a sentence, this article is practically made for you!
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According to Merriam-Webster’s English dictionary, the word focus has these definitions and uses.
A center of activity, attraction, or attention; epicentre
The primary focus of the meeting was drug abuse
Put immigration into focus as a hot topic for commentators
A point of concentration
Directed attention
The focus is on helping the homeless
A focus group on homelessness
Direction
The team lost focus
A state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding
adjustment for distinct vision
also: the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image
Focal Length
a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge; a convergence of light; ellipse
specifically: the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system
a point of convergence of a beam of particles (such as electrons)
: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section
: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection
: the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake
in focus
: having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing
get the binoculars in focus
out of focus
not in focus
Focus – Verb
Transitive verb
to cause to be concentrated
focused their attention on the most urgent problems
to adjust the focus of (the eye, a lens, etc.)
focus the telescope
to bring into focus
The results of that research were focused for classroom presentation.
to bring (something, such as light rays) to a focus: CONCENTRATE
intransitive verb
to concentrate attention or effort
focus on the most pressing needs
to adjust one’s eye or a camera to a particular range
Newborn babies cannot focus for several months.
to come to a focus: CONVERGE
What Is the Difference Between Focus and Foci?
The word focus comes from the Latin language. As it is with many Latin words used in American English today, there is more than one correct an acceptable plural form. The Latin way of making focus plural is foci whereas the American English way is focuses. The more commonly academically accepted word is foci, so for papers or homework, it would be the best idea to use that for the plural form of focus.
The History and Origin of the Word
You can trace the roots of the word to the Latin focus. It originally meant a hearth or fireplace. Later in New Latin, it took on the scientific meaning to focus rays of light by using a glass lens. The way they got from fireplace or hearth to focusing a lens of glass was because they noticed the glass lens (magnifying glass) was able to catch paper on fire when it concentrated the beam of light to a fine point. The descendants of the original Latin include focar (Spanish), fuoco (Italian), fokus (German), foco (Portuguese), and foc (Romanian).
Axis – a straight line about which a body or a geometric figure rotates or may be supposed to rotate
Base – the starting point or line, foundation
Center – the point around which a circle or sphere is described
Core – a central and often foundational part usually distinct from the enveloping part by a difference in nature
Cynosure – the center of attraction or attention
Epicenter – the part of the earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquae
Eye – attention, notice, close observation, point of view, something central
Ground zero – the point directly above, below, or at which a nuclear explosion occurs, the center of origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change
Heart – the central or innermost part
Hub – the central part of a circular object, the center of activity, the focal point
Locus – a center of activity, attention, or concentration
Mecca – a place regarded as a center for a specified group, activity, or interest
Navel – the central point, a depression in the middle of the abdomen that marks the point of former attachment of the umbilical cord or yolk stalk
Nerve center – center, source of leadership, organization, control, or energy
Nexus – connection, link
Conclusion
Now you are no doubt an expert on using the correct plural form of the word focus and hopefully also took away a lot more about the word and how to use it in the English language.
Kevin Miller is a growth marketer with an extensive background in Search Engine Optimization, paid acquisition and email marketing. He is also an online editor and writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. He studied at Georgetown University, worked at Google and became infatuated with English Grammar and for years has been diving into the language, demystifying the do's and don'ts for all who share the same passion! He can be found online here.