calling attention to

USAGE SUMMARY

"calling attention to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used when you want to draw someone's attention to something. For example: "Calling attention to the magnitude of the issue, the president proposed a new policy to address the problem."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The camerawork kept calling attention to matter.

The New York Times - Arts

Start by calling attention to your guesswork.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Apruzzese said calling attention to those fees was important.

The New York Times

I can't imagine why they're calling attention to this.

The Economist

"There's nothing calling attention to itself," Mr. Soderbergh said.

The New York Times - Arts

ESPN has perfected the art of calling attention to itself.

The New York Times - Sports

They do their jobs without calling attention to themselves.

MIT Technology Review

Poor choice of wording, but I'm really glad Reich is calling attention to this crisis.

University of California, Berkeley

"They were acting as sentinels, calling attention to issues not yet publicly recognized," Oreskes said.

Harvard University

Highlight your counterpart's lack of alternatives and avoid calling attention to your own.

Harvard University

By calling attention to it and prescribing solutions Bollyky's book can help to save many lives.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "calling attention to" when you want to make something noticeable or emphasize its importance to an audience.

Common error

While acceptable, overuse of "calling attention to" in very formal or academic writing can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Consider stronger verbs like "highlight" or "emphasize" for impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "calling attention to" functions as a verb phrase that introduces a specific point or issue for consideration. It is used to direct the audience's focus, as Ludwig AI confirms, and is commonly found across various forms of communication.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Academia

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "calling attention to" is a versatile phrase used to highlight and emphasize specific issues or details. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. Predominantly found in news, academic, and scientific contexts, it serves to inform and persuade, although its register is generally neutral to professional. While "calling attention to" is common, varying your language with alternatives such as "drawing attention to" or "highlighting" can enhance your writing. When crafting your message, consider the potential for overuse in very formal settings and opt for stronger verbs to amplify your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

drawing attention to

Uses "drawing" instead of "calling", implying a gradual or visual attraction of attention.

spotlighting

Metaphorically uses the idea of a spotlight to make something prominent.

highlighting

Implies emphasizing something to make it more noticeable.

emphasizing

Focuses on stressing the importance or significance of something.

bringing to the forefront

Emphasizes moving something into a position of greater visibility.

pointing out

Suggests directly indicating something specific.

underscoring

Similar to highlighting but suggests a more forceful emphasis.

making note of

Similar to "noting" but can be slightly less formal.

noting

Implies a formal or official recording of something.

flagging

Suggests marking something for attention, often in a warning context.

FAQs

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

You can use "calling attention to" to emphasize or highlight something important. For instance, "The report is "calling attention to" the urgent need for climate action".

What are some alternatives to "calling attention to"?

Alternatives include "drawing attention to", "highlighting", or "emphasizing", which can add variety to your writing.

Is "calling attention to" formal or informal?

"Calling attention to" is suitable for most contexts. However, in very formal writing, using verbs like "underscore" or "elucidate" might be more appropriate.

When should I avoid using "calling attention to"?

Avoid using "calling attention to" when a more concise or direct verb can convey the same meaning, especially in formal contexts. Instead, try using "noting" or "pointing out".