My attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the focus or concentration you are giving to something or someone. Example: "I appreciate your patience while I gather my thoughts; your ideas have captured my attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

My attention was caught.

The New York Times

My attention span shortens.

The New York Times - Magazine

My attention is always very fugitive.

The New Yorker

My attention span.

Forbes

My attention then switched to the final.

BBC

My attention is drawn to many interesting things         8.

City, Territory and Architecture

My attention often isn't.

Huffington Post

My attention span is nonexistent.

Vice

"Nobody's caught my attention".

The New York Times

That caught my attention.

The New York Times - Food

That got my attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "My attention" when you want to emphasize where your focus is directed, whether it's on a specific detail, task, or person. For instance, "My attention is currently focused on completing this report."

Common error

Avoid using "Mine attention" instead of "My attention". The correct possessive pronoun is "my", indicating ownership or association.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My attention" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the subject or object of a sentence to denote the speaker's focus or awareness. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating this function, such as "My attention span is nonexistent."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "My attention" serves as a common and grammatically sound way to indicate focus or awareness. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase is frequently used across various contexts, notably in news and media, science, and formal business settings. Alternatives such as "My focus" or "My interest" can be used to achieve similar effect. Remember to use "my" (possessive pronoun) instead of "mine". With a high expert rating and broad applicability, "My attention" remains a versatile expression for indicating where one's concentration is directed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My focus

Replaces "attention" with a direct synonym, emphasizing concentration.

My interest

Highlights a sense of curiosity or engagement, shifting the nuance slightly.

I'm focused on

Active voice version that places emphasis on the subject's action.

My focus shifted

Emphasizes the change in concentration, implying a movement of focus.

I'm interested in

Expresses a personal engagement with the topic, slightly more emotive.

My awareness

Suggests a consciousness or recognition of something, broadening the scope.

That grabbed my interest

More emphatic and active voice to reflect the shift in focus.

My mind

Implies that something occupies thought, indicating mental engagement.

That caught my eye

Emphasizes a visual element or initial attraction.

I turned my focus to

Implies a deliberate redirection of concentration to something new.

FAQs

How can I use "My attention" in a sentence?

You can use "My attention" to indicate where your focus is directed, such as "My attention was drawn to the unusual painting" or "You have my full attention".

What are some alternatives to "My attention"?

Alternatives include "My focus", "My interest", or "My awareness", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. For instance, instead of saying "My attention was caught by the noise", you could say "My focus was caught by the noise".

Is it correct to say "Mine attention" instead of "My attention"?

No, it is not correct. "My" is the correct possessive pronoun to use before "attention". "Mine" is used as a possessive pronoun standing alone, not as a modifier before a noun. Therefore the correct version is: My attention.

What's the difference between "My attention" and "That got my attention"?

"My attention" indicates a general state of focus, while "That got my attention" suggests something specific captured your focus. For example, saying "That got my attention" means something particular drew your focus, whereas "My attention is on the task at hand" expresses current focus.