Public attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Public attention" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when discussing topics that are currently being noticed or focused on by the general populace. For example, "The issue of climate change has garnered significant public attention in recent years." Alternative expressions include "public interest" and "media focus."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Public attention recedes.

The New York Times

Public attention has spurred leaders to take note.

The Economist

Public attention quickly fades in uncertain cases like this one.

The New York Times

— surfaces to public attention.

The New Yorker

Initially, the episode attracted little public attention.

The New York Times

"We're trying to create public attention.

The New York Times

"I sometimes revelled in the public attention.

The Economist

He's used to public attention.

The Guardian

Few fire escapes demanded public attention.

The New York Times

His case had not drawn public attention.

The Guardian

It has campaigned aggressively for public attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "public attention" to emphasize the degree to which an issue is being discussed and considered by society as a whole. For a more nuanced description of media presence or popularity use more specific alternatives like "media coverage" or "popular awareness".

Common error

Be careful not to use "public attention" when you mean individual or personal recognition. "Public attention" refers to a broader societal awareness, not an individual's experience of being noticed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "public attention" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig confirms its role in denoting a state of widespread awareness or focus on a particular topic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Science

14%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "public attention" is a versatile noun phrase used to describe the level of awareness and interest a topic receives from the general public. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and sees widespread use across news, science, and general knowledge domains. When using "public attention", consider whether you want to emphasize broad knowledge, in which case alternatives like "general awareness" or "popular awareness" could be more appropriate. Always be mindful of the distinction between "public attention" and more personal forms of attention, to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

popular awareness

Focuses on the extent to which something is known among the general population, emphasizing familiarity.

general awareness

Similar to popular awareness, but may also imply a shared understanding or consciousness.

media coverage

Highlights the role of news outlets in bringing something to the public's notice.

public interest

Suggests that the public finds a topic or issue engaging or relevant.

national spotlight

Implies intense focus at a country level, suggesting a high-profile situation.

widespread notice

Focuses on the broad recognition something receives, emphasizing its reach.

societal focus

Highlights that the topic is a preoccupation of society.

community awareness

Highlights the awareness within a specific community or local area.

collective consciousness

Highlights the fact that public knowledge has become embedded into the shared knowledge of the masses.

prevailing sentiment

Highlights that the population shares in the sentiment for this subject.

FAQs

What does "public attention" mean?

"Public attention" refers to the focus and awareness of the general public toward a particular issue, event, person, or topic. It signifies that something is being widely discussed and considered by society.

What can I say instead of "public attention"?

You can use alternatives like "general awareness", "media coverage", or "public interest" depending on the specific context.

How is "public attention" different from "public concern"?

"Public attention" simply means the public is noticing something, while "public concern" indicates that the public is worried or has anxieties about it. Something can receive "public attention" without necessarily causing "public concern".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "public attention" in writing?

It is appropriate to use the phrase "public attention" when describing situations where an issue has gained widespread awareness or is being actively discussed in society. For example, "The new policy has drawn considerable "public attention"."