capture the attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"capture the attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to draw someone's attention, for example: "Concise sentences can capture the attention of your readers quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Few policy areas capture the attention of voters more.

The New York Times

Others capture the attention irresistibly from the first bars.

The Guardian - Music

Poll numbers capture the attention of the public.

The New York Times

The plight of Afghan women continues to capture the attention of the international community.

The New York Times

However, that process can also capture the attention of the authorities.

The Guardian

Here was an emporium to capture the attention and dollars of Cincinnati.

The Guardian - Books

"We're trying to excite, titillate and capture the attention of folks.

The New York Times - Sports

Sunday's meeting of the Manchester teams will capture the attention more than the imagination.

The Guardian - Sport

It's supposed to capture the attention of younger subjects, so that they face the camera.

The New York Times - Tech

Entertainment is a key way to capture the attention of young people while teaching financial literacy.

The Guardian

They also strain to capture the attention of listeners who are barraged with innovation.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing marketing copy, use strong verbs and vivid language to "capture the attention" of potential customers immediately.

Common error

While "capture the attention" is widely acceptable, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "garner interest" or "attract focus" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capture the attention" functions as a verb phrase. It typically acts as the predicate of a sentence, describing an action of gaining someone's notice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capture the attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability for describing the act of attracting someone's notice. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral registers, with formal or academic settings sometimes benefiting from more sophisticated alternatives like "garner interest". Its communicative purpose is to highlight the effectiveness of something in drawing focus, as evidenced by its prevalence in news, business, and scientific sources. The phrase is widely used as confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract interest

Focuses on drawing interest, a broader term than just attention.

grab the focus

Highlights the act of seizing focus, suggesting a more forceful action.

command attention

Implies authority and the ability to naturally attract focus.

draw someone's eye

Emphasizes visual appeal and attracting someone's gaze.

pique interest

Focuses on arousing curiosity and making someone interested.

seize someone's awareness

Focuses on grabbing someone's awareness, a slightly more formal term.

get noticed

A simpler, more direct way of saying to attract attention.

win recognition

Similar to "gain recognition" but implies a competitive aspect.

gain recognition

Suggests a process of earning attention over time.

become prominent

Highlights the act of standing out and becoming easily noticeable.

FAQs

How can I use "capture the attention" in a sentence?

You can use "capture the attention" to describe how something successfully attracts notice. For example, "The vibrant colors of the painting immediately "capture the attention" of the viewers".

What are some alternatives to "capture the attention"?

Alternatives include "attract interest", "draw someone's eye", or "command attention". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "capture attention" or "capture the attention"?

"Capture the attention" is generally preferred because it specifies that you are seizing a particular instance of attention. "Capture attention" is less common and may sound slightly awkward.

What's the difference between "capture the attention" and "hold the attention"?

"Capture the attention" refers to the initial act of gaining someone's notice, whereas "hold the attention" implies maintaining that focus over a period of time. You might first "capture the attention" and then strive to "hold the attention".