The difference between "focus on" and "concentrate on?" [closed]

Question

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.

Answer 1

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.

Answer 2

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.

Answer 3

(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.

Answer 4

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".