activate attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "activate attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to draw someone's focus or awareness to something specific. Example: "The speaker used a dramatic pause to activate attention before revealing the main point of the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Such a significant difference in Hue Discrimination between the DD group and the children with matched nonverbal IQ scores would not be surprising if the feedforward-feedback model of visual processing of Bullier is correct and a 'magnocellular latency advantage' is necessary to rapidly activate attention mechanisms in parietal cortex prior to conscious ventral processing.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

We propose that abrupt presentation of objects activated attention mechanisms fed by the dorsal stream, whereas the ramped presentation had reduced transience and thus did not activate dorsal attention mechanisms as well.

Behavioral and Brain Functions

As expected, the active attention conditions activated components of the well-described "attention network," as compared with the neutral baseline.

Cerebral Cortex

Therefore, in light of the recent findings about the activity-dependent gain-control of lobula plate tangential neurons [12], [13], our results make a reasonable case that when a fly moves it activates attention-like circuits to better discriminate (or partition) relevant changes in the optic flow in respect to its orientation choices (turns).

Plosone

But spending time in natural settings appears to activate involuntary attention, giving the brain's directed attention time to rest.

The New York Times - Health

However, other studies have revealed that while the right IFC may be activated by attention, the level of activation in this region is modulated by the particular response requirements of the task.

Cerebral Cortex

Our results show that lateral aspects of the rostral PFC are preferentially activated when attention is directed to internal representations, whereas anterior medial aspects are activated when attention is directed to sensory events.

NeuroImage

This frontoparietal control network has also been found to be activated when attention is oriented to nonspatial stimulus features (e.g., motion).

Duke University

Beside its motor function, the cerebellum is activated during attention [ 3].

European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience

We used rhythmic TMS bursts to directly interact with an MEG-identified parietal α-oscillator, activated by attention and linked to perception.

Current Biology

In this issue, the three kings hypothesis is a set of starting conditions to activated our attention to the possibility of a network history.

Biology Direct

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "activate attention" when you want to emphasize the initiation of focus, often through a specific action or stimulus.

Common error

Avoid using "activate attention" in overly passive constructions. For instance, instead of saying "Attention was activated by the loud noise", prefer "The loud noise activated attention" for a more direct and impactful sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "activate attention" is as a verb phrase where "activate" serves as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ("attention"). Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

69%

News & Media

19%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "activate attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes the initiation of focus or awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Alternatives such as "capture attention" or "draw attention" can be used depending on the specific nuance desired. When using "activate attention", it is advisable to avoid overly passive constructions for a more direct and impactful writing style. This phrase is a versatile tool for discussing mechanisms that stimulate attentional responses across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capture attention

Implies seizing attention quickly and effectively.

draw attention

Suggests a more gradual and gentle attraction of focus.

attract attention

Similar to "draw attention", but may imply a natural or inherent quality that pulls focus.

engage attention

Focuses on actively involving someone's attention.

stimulate attention

Emphasizes creating interest or excitement to gain attention.

spark attention

Implies a sudden and immediate burst of attention.

arouse attention

Suggests awakening or stirring up attention that may have been dormant.

trigger attention

Highlights a specific event or cue that sets off attention.

ignite attention

Similar to "spark attention", but conveys a more intense and sustained burst of focus.

command attention

Implies a forceful or authoritative demand for attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "activate attention" to describe how a stimulus or event draws focus. For example, "The bright colors of the advertisement activated attention" or "The sudden sound activated the child's attention".

What are some alternatives to "activate attention"?

You can use alternatives like "capture attention", "draw attention", or "engage attention" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "activate attention" or "attract attention"?

"Activate attention" suggests a deliberate process of initiating focus, while "attract attention" implies a more passive or inherent quality that draws focus. The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

In what contexts is "activate attention" most appropriate?

"Activate attention" is suitable in contexts where you want to highlight the action or stimulus that starts the process of focusing. This can be relevant in scientific, academic, or even marketing discussions where you analyze how attention is triggered.