focus (n.) (foc)

A term used by some LINGUISTS in a two-part analysis of SENTENCES which distinguishes between the INFORMATION assumed by speakers, and that which is at the centre (or ‘focus’) of their communicative interest; ‘focus’ in this sense is opposed to PRESUPPOSITION. (The CONTRAST between GIVEN and NEW information makes an analogous distinction.) For example, in the sentence It was Mary who came to tea, Mary is the focus (as the INTONATION contour helps to signal). Taking such factors into account is an important aspect of inter-sentence relationships: it would not be possible to have the above sentence as the answer to the question What did Mary do?, but only to Who came to tea?