Phrasal verbs "focus on" vs "follow on"

Differences between focus on and follow on

Focus on means to concentrate or give attention to something specific, while follow on means to happen or occur as a result of something else.

Meanings and Definitions: focus on vs follow on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Focus on

• 1. Concentrate.

  The report FOCUSES ON the company's weak points.

Follow on

• 1. Leave to meet someone after they have left the place you're at.

  He left an hour ago and I'll be FOLLOWING ON soon.

• 2. In cricket, if the second team to bat doesn't score enough runs, it has to bat again.

  They were over 200 runs behind and had to FOLLOW ON.

Usage Examples: focus on, follow on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

focus on

Example

I need to focus on my studies to pass the exam.

Example

She focuses on her work to meet the deadline.

follow on

Example

I will follow on after I finish my work.

Example

She follows on after her friends leave the party.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Focus on

pay attention to

To give one's full concentration or focus to something.

Example

During the lecture, it's important to pay attention to the professor's explanations and take notes.

zero in on

To direct one's attention or focus towards a specific target or objective.

Example

The detective was able to zero in on the suspect's location using GPS tracking.

concentrate on

To focus one's mental or physical efforts on a particular task or activity.

Example

She needed to concentrate on her studies to pass the final exam.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Follow on

result in

To cause or bring about a particular outcome or consequence.

Example

The heavy rain resulted in flooding in many low-lying areas.

stem from

To originate or arise from a particular source or cause.

Example

Her fear of dogs stemmed from a traumatic experience she had as a child.

lead to

To cause or result in a particular outcome or consequence.

Example

Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings and conflicts in the workplace.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “follow”

• follow through
• follow on from
• follow up

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

• save on
• decide on
• wait on
• operate on
• call on

Differences in focus on vs follow on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: focus on or follow on?

In daily conversation, people use focus on more often than follow on. This is because focus on is used in many different contexts and situations, while follow on is more specific and less commonly used.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of focus on and follow on

Focus on and follow on are both informal phrases that can be used in casual conversations. However, follow on may be considered slightly more formal because it is less common and may be used in more professional settings.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of focus on and follow on

The tone of focus on is usually neutral or positive, indicating a deliberate effort to pay attention to something important. The tone of follow on is usually neutral or slightly negative, indicating an unexpected or unwanted consequence.

focus on & follow on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Focus on

Synonyms

• emphasize
• highlight
• concentrate on
• pay attention to
• direct attention to
• center on
• zero in on

Antonyms

• ignore
• overlook
• neglect
• disregard
• distract from
• divert attention from

Follow on

Synonyms

• pursue
• trail
• come after
• go after

Antonyms

• lead
• precede
• go ahead
• go before