called attention to

USAGE SUMMARY

"called attention to" is a phrase that is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to draw someone's focus or awareness to something. Example: The speaker called attention to the growing issue of climate change and urged the audience to take action.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And he never called attention to himself.

The New York Times

Many called attention to human vulnerability.

The New York Times - Arts

E.E.B. called attention to the corrugations.

Nature

Nothing in "Velocity" called attention to itself.

The New York Times - Arts

We repeatedly called attention to the fact that the Elevated….

The New Yorker

"It called attention to something that never should have been".

The New York Times - Sports

It not only raised money, but called attention to tuberculosis.

The New York Times

Toney called attention to himself just by appearing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Until now his products have not called attention to themselves.

The New York Times

A passenger first called attention to the missing panel.

The New York Times

He then called attention to her multiple drug-related felonies.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "called attention to" when you want to highlight a specific aspect or detail of a broader topic. For instance, "The report called attention to the disparities in healthcare access."

Common error

Avoid using "called attention to" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of saying "It was called attention to by the report", use the active voice: "The report called attention to it."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called attention to" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that someone or something has drawn focus or awareness to a particular issue, fact, or detail. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is commonly used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "called attention to" is a versatile and commonly used expression that serves to highlight or emphasize a particular point. As Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically correct and appropriate for diverse contexts, from news reports to academic papers. Alternatives like "highlighted" or "drew attention to" can be used for variety, but the core meaning remains consistent. When using this phrase, aim for the active voice to ensure clarity and impact. With a strong presence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, "called attention to" is a reliable choice for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highlighted

A more concise alternative, focusing on directly pointing out something important.

drew attention to

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes the act of attracting focus.

emphasized

Focuses on stressing the importance of something.

pointed out

A more direct and less formal way of bringing something to notice.

brought to the forefront

Emphasizes moving something into a position of prominence.

underscored

Highlights something by drawing a line underneath it, metaphorical use for emphasizing.

spotlighted

Implies shining a light on something to make it more visible.

flagged

Indicates marking something as important or noteworthy.

noted

A simple and formal way of indicating that something was mentioned.

alerted

Emphasizes warning or informing someone about something.

FAQs

How to use "called attention to" in a sentence?

Use "called attention to" when you want to emphasize something important. For example, "The study "called attention to" the need for further research."

What can I say instead of "called attention to"?

You can use alternatives like "highlighted", "drew attention to", or "emphasized" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "attention was called to"?

While grammatically correct, using the active voice, like "The report "called attention to" the issue", is often more direct and preferred.

What's the difference between "called attention to" and "alluded to"?

"Called attention to" means to directly highlight something, while "alluded to" means to indirectly suggest or hint at something.