attending closely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attending closely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the act of paying careful attention to something or someone. Example: "The teacher noticed that the students were attending closely to the lecture, eager to absorb every detail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Menashe has a way of attending closely to the minutiae of his text as of the world.

The Guardian - Books

For another, he couldn't help attending closely to language, and the language he encountered from the many experts and medical textbooks he consulted disturbed and often angered him.

The New York Times - Books

His eventual achievement of belonging in this strange new place, his arrival in full, depends upon attending closely to the details of fellow newcomers' stories, customs and advice.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Democratic future will belong, instead, to people who can make a plausible claim to attending closely and effectively to their state's economic future, in a way that ordinary people can feel in their pocketbooks.

The New Yorker

Ward (who is inexplicably being replaced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo) rescued the ground zero project by disenchanting it, by seeing it as it is, not through shrouds of symbols — by attending closely to all the practical complexity.

The New York Times

Suppose you are attending closely to the color and shape of the patch as well as the background.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Reagan does attend closely to his relationship with his audience.

The New Yorker

Finally, in whatever version of the salad, you will want to attend closely to the texture of the dressing.

The New York Times - Magazine

More recently, it's been discovered that we also attend closely to whether the negotiation process was itself fair.

Harvard University

The equivalent in negotiation is to attend closely to the pace and spin of what is being said.

Harvard University

And they attended closely to new developments in race science, viewing them as central to their own core questions.

University of Pennsylvania

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attending closely" when you want to emphasize not just paying attention, but also actively engaging with and processing the information received. For example, "attending closely" to customer feedback allows you to tailor your services.

Common error

While acceptable, "attending closely" can sometimes sound less formal than alternatives like "observing carefully" or "scrutinizing meticulously" depending on the context. Choose vocabulary to reflect the level of formality required for your writing or audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attending closely" functions as a verb phrase combined with an adverb, modifying the verb to emphasize the manner of attending. According to Ludwig, it describes the act of paying careful attention to something or someone. The examples illustrate how it indicates a high degree of focus and engagement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

35%

Academia

28%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "attending closely" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase that signifies paying careful and focused attention. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various contexts, with a slightly more formal tone. Usage is most common in News & Media, Science, and Academic writing. When using the phrase, consider if a more formal alternative like "observing carefully" might be more appropriate for your target audience. By understanding its nuances, you can use "attending closely" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

paying close attention

Emphasizes the act of giving attention, similar to "attending closely" but slightly more direct.

observing carefully

Focuses on the act of watching and noticing details, implying a visual element.

listening intently

Highlights the act of listening with great focus and purpose.

focusing sharply

Emphasizes the concentration of mental effort on a specific point or task.

keeping a close watch

Implies continuous monitoring or surveillance, often for potential issues.

scrutinizing meticulously

Highlights detailed and thorough examination, usually for flaws or errors.

remaining vigilant

Focuses on being alert and watchful, especially for potential danger or problems.

examining thoroughly

Highlights a complete and detailed investigation or analysis.

heeding carefully

Implies paying attention and taking advice or warnings seriously.

minding attentively

Conveys careful and thoughtful consideration or care.

FAQs

How can I use "attending closely" in a sentence?

You can use "attending closely" to describe someone paying careful attention to something, for instance: "The scientist was "attending closely" to the experiment's results."

What's a more formal way to say "attending closely"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "observing carefully" or "examining thoroughly". These options can suit academic or professional writing.

Is there a difference between "attending closely" and "paying attention"?

"Attending closely" implies a more active and focused engagement than simply "paying attention". It suggests a deliberate effort to understand and process information, as opposed to just being aware of it.

Can "attending closely" be used in all contexts?

While versatile, "attending closely" is best suited for situations where active engagement is important. In casual conversation, phrases like "paying attention" might be more natural.