call attention to a problem

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call attention to a problem" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to highlight or bring awareness to an issue that needs to be addressed. Example: "The report aims to call attention to a problem that has been overlooked for too long."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

By Rachel Bonham Carter NEW YORK, 15 September 2005 – As world leaders meet at the United Nations World Summit, UNICEF is helping call attention to a problem that condemns millions of women and children in sub-Saharan Africa to a life of illness and lost opportunities: Poor access to water and basic sanitation.

Unicef

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Mr. Mfume said the ministers called attention to a problem between the Democrats and a core constituency.

The New York Times

The stories, besides calling attention to the civic crises, also fulfilled a tabloid staple: the "gotcha story," in which a newspaper gleefully calls attention to a problem heretofore unexposed.

The New York Times

The [US] government has used the Espionage Act to go after journalistic sources who at least in their own minds thought they were doing a public service like Snowden by calling attention to a problem as they perceived it.

The Guardian

This case is unique but calls attention to a problem that is probably under-appreciated.

Cancer Imaging

Here again, in the digitally remade world the good gesture cannot help but call attention to a greater problem.

The Guardian

We must stand up, speak out and call attention to a real problem.

Huffington Post

But in refusing to consider the case against Election Night projections, the executives call attention to a long-standing problem of TV: its inclination to dramatize the news, then blame the audience for its own excesses.

The New Yorker

They call attention to an overload or simultaneous emergence of problems and described it, "when multiple areas of a person's life are at a stressful point" (mother aged 41, child aged 15), when it is "difficult in all areas of your life" (mother aged 35, child aged 8), and "when things are all falling apart at once" (mother aged 46, child aged 21).

Autism

Dr. Norman M. Wall calls attention to a crucial problem.

The New York Times

But appearing on "Fox News Sunday," Mr. Huckabee, who once shed more than 100 pounds, said that in fact Mrs. Obama was calling attention to a serious problem, not calling for government intrusion.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use this phrase in scenarios where you want to bring an existing, perhaps overlooked, problem to the forefront for discussion or action.

Common error

Avoid using "call attention to a problem" without clearly specifying what the problem is. Vague statements can dilute the impact of your message. Always provide sufficient context and details to make the issue clear to your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call attention to a problem" functions primarily as a verb phrase used to highlight an issue, making it noticeable and prompting further consideration or action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "call attention to a problem" is a versatile expression used to highlight issues across diverse contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable. Effective usage involves clearly defining the problem to maximize impact and promote meaningful discussion or action. While alternatives like "highlight an issue" or "raise awareness of a problem" offer similar meanings, the key is to ensure clarity and context to avoid vagueness. Avoiding overuse without specifics will maintain the phrase's effectiveness in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlight an issue

Focuses on making the issue more prominent.

raise awareness of a problem

Emphasizes increasing public knowledge about the problem.

draw attention to a concern

Similar to highlighting, but often implies a sense of worry or unease.

shed light on a problem

Suggests uncovering or revealing information about the problem.

bring to the forefront an issue

Emphasizes placing the issue in a prominent position for discussion or action.

flag a problem

Implies marking or identifying the problem for attention.

underscore an issue

Emphasizes the importance of the issue.

spotlight a problem

Highlights the problem like a stage spotlight.

emphasize an issue

Focuses on stressing the significance of the issue.

make an issue known

Focuses on communicating the existence of the issue.

FAQs

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

You can use "call attention to a problem" to highlight an issue that needs addressing. For example: "The report aims to call attention to a problem that has been overlooked for too long."

What are some alternatives to "call attention to a problem"?

You can use alternatives like "highlight an issue", "raise awareness of a problem", or "draw attention to a concern" depending on the context.

Is it better to "call attention to a problem" or "solve a problem"?

The choice depends on the situation. "Call attention to a problem" is used when you want to make people aware of an issue. "Solve a problem" implies that you are taking action to resolve the issue. They serve different purposes and are not interchangeable.

What's the difference between "call attention to a problem" and "exaggerate a problem"?

"Call attention to a problem" means to bring an issue to the forefront for consideration, while "exaggerate a problem" means to represent it as more significant than it actually is. The former is about raising awareness, the latter is about misrepresentation.