focus / attention
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to focus attention on something
To deliberately concentrate one's attention on a particular thing, person, or aspect. It means to give something special attention.
Die Polizei richtete ihr Augenmerk besonders auf das verdächtige Fahrzeug.
The police focused their attention especially on the suspicious vehicle.
focus / attention
An elevated expression for attention or focus. It is used almost exclusively in fixed expressions such as 'das Hauptaugenmerk liegt auf' (the main focus is on).
Das Hauptaugenmerk der Untersuchung lag auf der Klärung der Todesursache.
The main focus of the investigation was on clarifying the cause of death.
The word is made up of 'Auge' (eye) and 'Merk' (from 'merken', to notice/remember). Figuratively, it describes a point that the eye is supposed to 'merken' (notice/remember), that is, a focal point.
Bei diesem Projekt sollten wir unser Augenmerk auf die Kosten legen.
In this project, we should focus our attention on the costs.
'Augenmerk' (focus/attention) is almost never used on its own, but almost always in fixed expressions. You cannot simply say 'Mein Augenmerk ist auf dich' (My focus is on you); instead, you have to use one of the typical constructions.
Der Lehrer legt sein Augenmerk auf die schwächeren Schüler.
The teacher focuses his attention on the weaker students.
This word belongs to elevated written language. In normal everyday conversation, it often sounds very formal or even a bit stiff.
In dem Bericht wird das besondere Augenmerk auf die Sicherheitsaspekte gerichtet.
In the report, special attention is directed toward the safety aspects.
In the active expression 'sein Augenmerk auf etwas richten/legen' (to direct/place one's attention on something), the target of attention is always in the accusative.
Die Ermittler richten ihr Augenmerk auf die neuen Beweismittel.
The investigators are focusing their attention on the new evidence.
In the passive expression 'das Augenmerk liegt auf etwas' (the focus is on something), the topic that is in focus is always in the dative.
Bei der Konferenz lag das Hauptaugenmerk auf dem Klimawandel.
At the conference, the main focus was on climate change.
attention
Aufmerksamkeit and Augenmerk can both express a deliberate focus. Aufmerksamkeit is the general form and is often used with “schenken.” Augenmerk sounds more elevated and usually appears in fixed expressions such as “sein Augenmerk auf etwas richten” or “das Hauptaugenmerk liegt auf.”
Im offiziellen Bericht richtete die Leiterin ihr Augenmerk besonders auf die Kosten.
In the official report, the director focused particular attention on the costs.
Im Gespräch schenkte die Leiterin den Kosten besondere Aufmerksamkeit.
During the discussion, the director paid particular attention to the costs.
