attentive smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "attentive smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that shows care, interest, or concern, often in a context where someone is listening or engaging with another person. Example: "She greeted him with an attentive smile, showing that she was genuinely interested in what he had to say."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The angel smiled a quiet, attentive smile, gazed fixedly at me with his elongated diamond eyes.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Providers who appear fully attentive, avoid distractions, smile, and sit on the same level as the patient all convey an important message of caring, listening, and empathy [ 2].

BMC Health Services Research

The smiling, attentive wait staff was another plus.

The New York Times

Neighbors grieved over the death of the girl, whom they described as a quick-witted, attentive and often smiling, one of the many children who filled the hallways.

The New York Times

Mr. Tibbs continued to keep a vigil at Kevin's side, often reading to the boy from the Bible, and delighting in his belief that his son's smile and attentive gaze meant that he understood the words.

The New York Times

In a nutshell, for the whole interview never cease to be ENTHUSIASTIC (you're relaxed, so smile a little), ATTENTIVE (you are alert, maintaining good eye-contact and nodding a fair bit), and POSITIVE (give forward-looking answers).

Science Magazine

Be pleasant, smile, and look attentive to their problems if they decide to tell you.

WikiHow

The attentive waiters are big on smiles.

The New York Times

By David Denby The French stage actor Aurélien Recoing, who plays Vincent, the fortyish hero of Laurent Cantet's extraordinary "Time Out," is a blandly presentable fellow, not quite handsome but reassuringly large, with a quick smile and a friendly, attentive manner.

The New Yorker

The French stage actor Aurélien Recoing, who plays Vincent, the fortyish hero of Laurent Cantet's extraordinary "Time Out," is a blandly presentable fellow, not quite handsome but reassuringly large, with a quick smile and a friendly, attentive manner.

The New Yorker

When you are friendly, when you smile, when you are attentive, you get a second and a third question.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "attentive smile" to describe a smile that reflects genuine interest and engagement in a conversation or situation. It's particularly effective when you want to emphasize someone's active listening or caring demeanor.

Common error

Avoid using "attentive smile" when the smile is merely polite or perfunctory. Attentiveness implies a deeper level of engagement than simple politeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "attentive smile" functions as a descriptive element, combining an adjective ("attentive") with a noun ("smile") to characterize the nature of the smile. It indicates that the smile is not merely a physical expression but also reflects a state of focused awareness and engagement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "attentive smile" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that effectively conveys genuine interest and engagement. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts, predominantly in News & Media. While alternatives like "caring smile" or "thoughtful smile" can be used to emphasize specific aspects of the smile, "attentive smile" is a versatile choice for describing a smile that reflects active listening and care. Understanding its proper use, as highlighted in the writing guidance, can help avoid misinterpretations and enhance the clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caring smile

Replaces "attentive" with "caring", emphasizing the emotional aspect of the smile.

thoughtful smile

Substitutes "attentive" with "thoughtful", suggesting the smile reflects consideration.

considerate smile

Replaces "attentive" with "considerate", highlighting the empathy conveyed by the smile.

sympathetic smile

Changes "attentive" to "sympathetic", focusing on the smile's expression of understanding and compassion.

understanding smile

Replaces "attentive" with "understanding", stressing the smile conveys comprehension.

warm, receptive smile

Expands the description to include "warm" and "receptive", emphasizing friendliness and openness.

interested smile

Substitutes "attentive" with "interested", focusing on the smile's expression of curiosity.

gentle, watchful smile

Replaces "attentive" with "gentle, watchful", emphasizing the care and observation in the smile.

keen smile

Uses "keen" instead of "attentive" suggesting the smile is sharp and focused.

listening smile

Highlights the action of listening through the smile.

FAQs

How can I use "attentive smile" in a sentence?

You can use "attentive smile" to describe someone who is actively listening and engaged, for example: "She gave him an attentive smile as he explained the project."

What's a good alternative to "attentive smile"?

Depending on the context, alternatives like "caring smile", "thoughtful smile", or "understanding smile" could be suitable.

Is "attentive smile" formal or informal?

"Attentive smile" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts as it simply describes a genuine and engaged expression.

What does an "attentive smile" communicate?

An attentive smile typically communicates that the person is interested, understanding, and engaged in what is being said or done.