This is one question in my book:
Our company don’t ____ on profits only.
A. Concentrate B. Focus
The key gives B but I don't think there is a difference between them in this context.
What do you think? Thanks.
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Sign up to join this communityThis is one question in my book:
Our company don’t ____ on profits only.
A. Concentrate B. Focus
The key gives B but I don't think there is a difference between them in this context.
What do you think? Thanks.
One dictionary that does not use circular definitions for these two expressions is The Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Online:
concentrate verb [1]
1 [intransitive] to think very carefully about something that you are doing [↪ concentration]:
- Now please concentrate.
- Adrian was finding it difficult to concentrate.
concentrate on
- Be quiet - let me concentrate on my homework.focus [2]
1 give attention to something [intransitive and transitive] to give special attention to one particular person or thing, or to make people do this
focus on
- He needs to focus more on his career.
focus your attention/mind/efforts on something
- She tried to focus her mind on her work.
focus (somebody's) mind/attention (on something) (=make people give their attention to something)
- We need to focus public attention on this issue.[Other meanings omitted for both words]
Here, the definition of concentrate does tend to support the distinction given in the answer from @FriendlyGreasemonkey, in that it specifically refers to thinking, whereas the definition of focus refers to giving attention.
There is clearly considerable overlap, and many instances where either word could be used, but I would agree that concentration implies use of the mind by an individual or group, and is not suitable for use in reference to an entity.
Concentration tends to be used in the context of a person's mind and thoughts. If you accept that a company, not being a real person, has no mind then it cannot concentrate.
Conversely, focus tends to connote the tuning or centering of interests, which in the case of a company means its resources i.e. people and other assets. This makes the choice of focus in terms of a company more suitable, in my mind.
(This answer looks at the non-optical and non-chemical senses only, of course)
Different dictionaries do seem to differ in what they are overtly prepared to permit in the on-phrase after concentrate:
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003
concentrate . . . vb . . . 4. (intr; often foll by on) to bring one's faculties to bear (on); think intensely (about)
permitting 'concentrate on profits' (and 'concentrate on the view' etc) as well as 'concentrate on making profits'. focus on . . .
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary
con•cen•trate . . . v. . . . v.i. 5. to bring all efforts, faculties, etc., to bear on one objective (often fol. by on or upon): to concentrate on solving a problem.
perhaps limiting X in 'on X' to the achieving of some goal. focus one's efforts on . . .
However, English is usually very flexible in areas like this, probably readily interchanging (using one for the other)
'concentrate on the view' <==> 'concentrate on appreciating / taking in the view'
and
'Our company doesn't concentrate on profits only.' <==> 'Our company doesn't just concentrate on making profits.'
None of the corresponding entries for focus stipulates any need for an achievement to be referenced by the on-phrase.
There is no difference in British English, except the style.
The Oxford Reference Dictionary defines "focus on" by "concentrate on", and "focus on" by "concentrate on".