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Prepositions after adjectives

focussed: prepositions and meaning

Focussed is a British spelling of focused. It most naturally takes on for attention and concentration.

Quick answer

Using focussed with prepositions

Use focussed on for concentration or goals. Focussed in can describe a field or area. For and with usually belong to different sentence structures rather than fixed adjective combinations.

She stayed focussed on the presentation
The programme is focussed in public health
The team was focussed with remarkable discipline

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
focussed on + topic/goal

Showing attention or concentration

Focussed on is the standard pattern in British English spelling.

He remained focussed on the interview
The charity is focussed on education
2
focussed in + field

Showing an area of specialisation

Focussed in can describe expertise or activity in a field.

The course is focussed in finance
Research is focussed in rural medicine
3
focussed with + noun

Using with as an accompanying phrase

With may introduce manner or company, but it is not a standard complement selected by focussed.

She listened focussed with complete attention
The athlete trained focussed with his coach nearby
4
focussed for + purpose

Using for to show purpose

For usually expresses purpose in the wider sentence rather than a fixed pattern after focussed.

The workshop was designed focussed for beginners
The material is focussed for advanced learners

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
focussed on
They are focussed on reducing costs.
Standard pattern for concentration or attention.
focussed in
The institute is focussed in cancer research.
Used for a field or area of work.
focussed for
The course is focussed for new managers.
Possible in some contexts of purpose, but often reworded as designed for or focused on.
focussed with
She worked focussed with impressive calm.
With introduces manner or accompaniment, not a fixed complement.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using for instead of on

For is usually not the best choice for the topic of attention.

✕ He is focussed for the exam. ✓ He is focussed on the exam.

Treating with as a fixed pattern

With usually adds extra information rather than completing focussed.

✕ She is focussed with the report. ✓ She is focussed on the report.

Using in for ordinary tasks

In works mainly with fields or specialisations.

✕ I am focussed in this email. ✓ I am focussed on this email.

Mixing British and American spelling

Focussed is British spelling. Focused is more common in American English.

✓ The team is focussed on quality.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The students stayed ___ their final project.
2. The laboratory is ___ genetic research.
3. The programme was designed ___ young professionals.

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Frequently asked questions

Is focussed correct spelling?

Yes. Focussed is a British English spelling of focused.

Which preposition normally follows focussed?

On is the standard choice for attention and concentration.

Can I say focussed with?

With may appear in the sentence, but it usually adds manner or accompaniment rather than forming a fixed adjective pattern.

face-to-face-with-in-at-for, to "fair to" or "fair in"? faithful to, in, of, with or for? falling of, in, out, into or off? "false in" or "false to"? famed for, as, in or throughout? familiar with, to, from or in? famous for, in, of, by or as? fanatical about, in, as, for or of? "fantastic for" or "fantastic in"? far from, in, to, for or with? fascinating to, about, in, for or as?

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