call attention to

USAGE SUMMARY

"call attention to" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to draw someone's attention to a particular person, place, concept, or thing. For example, "The professor called attention to the importance of an independent research project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

You don't call attention to them.

The New York Times

Deep caves rarely call attention to themselves.

The New Yorker

Mr. Helm didn't call attention to himself.

The New York Times - Arts

"They never call attention to themselves".

The New York Times

"Typically companies try to call attention to their strongest suit".

The New York Times - Tech

Jonathan certainly knows how to call attention to himself.

The New York Times

Its surface features alone immediately call attention to themselves.

The New York Times - Books

She doesn't call attention to herself, but her talent does.

The New Yorker

Arches frame and call attention to the view.

The New York Times

Mr. Obama was right to call attention to this problem.

The New York Times

The man was reluctant to call attention to himself.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider stronger verbs like "emphasize" or "underscore" to add sophistication and directness.

Common error

Avoid using "call attention to" excessively in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "mention" or "point out" can sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call attention to" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It requires an object to complete its meaning, indicating what or whom the attention is being directed towards. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

23%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call attention to" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to highlight or emphasize something. Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples confirms its common usage across diverse contexts, from news and media to scientific literature. While perfectly acceptable, more concise synonyms like "highlight" or "emphasize" may enhance stylistic sophistication in certain scenarios. When communicating your ideas through writing, remember these key factors to ensure clarity and precision with the phrase "call attention to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw attention to

This alternative is a direct synonym, emphasizing the act of attracting notice.

highlight

This alternative is a more concise way of saying "call attention to", focusing on marking something as important.

emphasize

This alternative shifts the focus to stressing the importance of something.

underscore

This alternative suggests drawing a line under something to give emphasis.

bring to the forefront

This alternative emphasizes moving something into a prominent position.

shine a light on

This alternative implies revealing or making something more visible.

flag up

This alternative suggests marking something for attention, often in a formal or official context.

point out

This alternative focuses on indicating or specifying something.

make known

This alternative focuses on communicating something to others.

give prominence to

This alternative suggests elevating the importance or status of something.

FAQs

How can I use "call attention to" in a sentence?

You can use "call attention to" when you want to highlight something important, as in, "The report aims to "call attention to" the urgent need for climate action."

What are some alternatives to "call attention to"?

Alternatives include "draw attention to", "highlight", or "emphasize", depending on the specific context and desired nuance.

Is it better to use "call attention to" or "draw attention to"?

Both "call attention to" and "draw attention to" are acceptable and largely interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or stylistic variation within your writing.

When is it inappropriate to use "call attention to"?

While generally versatile, "call attention to" might be too formal for very casual conversations. In such contexts, consider using simpler phrases like "mention" or "point out".