Concentrate
What it means
To direct and keep one's attention on a chosen task, idea, or perception.
Reach for it when describing deliberate focus despite competing stimuli
A quiet booth helped Mara concentrate on the unfamiliar listening test.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday |
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| warm | |
| professional | |
| formal | |
| literary |
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playful
zero in
Fits when attention narrows quickly onto a target
Careful The idiom suggests selection or pursuit rather than sustained concentration.
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everyday
Fits when attention is directed toward one priority
Careful Focus can be momentary and also describes lenses, groups, or topic scope.
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warm
immerse oneself
Fits when deep absorption in an activity is the goal
Careful Immersion can be pleasurable and broad, without the control concentration requires.
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professional
apply oneself
Fits when disciplined effort toward work is central
Careful Application adds diligence and is awkward for simply noticing a sound.
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formal
attend
Fits when careful mental notice is being given
Careful Attend can mean being present or serving someone, which may confuse the sentence.
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literary
fix one's mind
Fits when deliberate sustained mental direction suits elevated prose
Careful The phrase sounds archaic and can imply rigid thinking.
Opposites 3
- distract
- drift
- scatter
Common phrases 3
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concentrate fully
She could concentrate fully once the machine's alarm was silenced.
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concentrate on
Please concentrate on the dosage column rather than the package color.
-
ability to concentrate
Regular breaks protected his ability to concentrate.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated