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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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attention closely

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attention closely" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct expression would typically be "pay attention closely" or simply "pay close attention." Example: "Please pay attention closely to the safety instructions provided before the flight."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Perhaps because Diana is a bit hard of hearing, she fixes her attention closely on whomever she's talking to, and her gaze took on a particular intensity.

Introduction: Currently there is a insufficient information about intra-hospital cardiac arrest (IHCA) in the literature, recommendations are based mainly in extra-hospital cardiac arrest knowlledge, however both the causes and the prognosis of PCRIH are possibly different, as well as the assistance and structural features for its attention, closely linked to the idiosyncrasies of each hospital.1.1

And it's worth paying attention, closely, to everything that's said, both in these recordings and when glowing disruptions in the air are found.

News & Media

Vice

Pay attention closely to her body language.

When toasting pine nuts, pay attention closely and move them around often.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The absence of the spoken word concentrates the spectator's attention more closely on the visual aspect of behaviour.

Ultimately, you can only judge the books in front of you, and do your utmost to pay attention, read closely, do them justice, give them a chance.

The same will happen in the months or years ahead if Washington continues to focus its attention too closely on Iran's nuclear threat, as President Bush and Dick Cheney are reported to be doing.

WM and attention interact closely during memory formation and manipulation.

There are empirical and theoretical considerations suggesting that attention is closely related to consciousness, and there are controversies over whether this relationship of consciousness to attention is one of necessity, or sufficiency (or both or neither).

Science

SEP

The focus of attention, being closely related to how we perceive and process unconscious visual stimuli, which scans the scene both in a rapid, bottom-up, saliency-driven, and task-independent manner.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use the correct idiomatic expression "pay close attention" instead of the grammatically incorrect "attention closely". Using "pay close attention" ensures clarity and adherence to standard English.

Common error

Avoid placing "attention" before "closely". The correct phrasing emphasizes the action of "paying" attention, followed by the modifier "close" to indicate the degree of attention.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

79%

Authority and reliability

3.2/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attention closely" is not a standard grammatical construction. Ludwig AI suggests it is incorrect, and it requires restructuring to form a coherent expression. Correct alternatives include using it as part of the idiomatic expression "pay close attention".

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attention closely" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates that it should be avoided in favor of correct alternatives such as "pay close attention" or "pay attention closely", although the former is much more idiomatic. While the phrase appears across various contexts, including Science, News & Media, and Wiki, it's best to use the suggested alternatives to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity in writing. The most authoritative sources generally do not use this phrase, further suggesting its unsuitability for formal or professional contexts.

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "attention closely"?

The correct way to phrase this is to say "pay close attention". The verb "pay" is essential for the phrase to be grammatically sound.

Is "attention closely" grammatically correct?

No, "attention closely" is not grammatically correct. A more appropriate phrase would be "pay attention closely" or "pay close attention".

What can I say instead of "attention closely" to emphasize careful observation?

Instead of "attention closely", you can use phrases like "focus intently", "watch carefully", or "observe meticulously".

How does "pay attention closely" differ from "pay close attention"?

"Pay attention closely" and "pay close attention" are both grammatically acceptable, but "pay close attention" is the more common and idiomatic expression. The difference is subtle, with the latter emphasizing the degree of attention being paid.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

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Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: