capture their interest

USAGE SUMMARY

"capture their interest" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of getting someone's attention or making them curious about something. For example, “I used a catchy headline to capture their interest and encourage them to read my article.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

That's when you capture their interest".

The New Yorker

— make their own schedules, choosing on a day-to-day basis whatever electives capture their interest.

The New York Times

But the connoisseurs of decomposition are overwhelmingly urban, and walls generally capture their interest only when scrawled with graffiti.

The New Yorker

In order to motivate students and capture their interest, there must be a level of trust established in the classroom.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Last month, the company started rolling out templates, as it looked to make traditional workflow processes easier and easier for companies in order to capture their interest much in the same way it captured the interest of consumers at large.

TechCrunch

"An important component of our service is that we can put something compelling in front of users and capture their interest in just a few seconds," Hunt told me.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

But I hate that the real thing — their Legos, the cardboard boxes saved for building forts — can't hold a candle to Minecraft in capturing their interest".

The New York Times

The lesson political parties will draw from the referendum campaign is that young people will turn out to vote if an issue captures their interest.

The Economist

While many foundations were active in dissuading companies from doing business in South Africa in the 1970's and 80's, subsequent causes do not appear to have captured their interest.

The New York Times

Seasoned collectors as well as beginners can easily contact a gallery or inquire with a dedicated member of Artsy's art advisors when they find a work that captures their interest.

The Guardian

I simply wanted them to work with something that captured their interest.

Journal of Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing an introduction, use a compelling hook to "capture their interest" from the start. This could be a question, a surprising statistic, or a bold statement.

Common error

While "capture their interest" is a useful phrase, avoid using it repetitively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with synonyms like "grab their attention" or "pique their curiosity" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "capture their interest" functions as a verb phrase, where "capture" is the verb and "their interest" is the object. According to Ludwig AI, it's a valid phrase for expressing the action of gaining someone's attention.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capture their interest" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase for describing the action of initially attracting someone's attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for a variety of contexts. Usage is prevalent in news media, science, and wiki sources, and is considered generally neutral in register. To enhance your writing, vary your phrasing using alternatives like "grab their attention" or "pique their curiosity" to avoid repetition. Remember to use it strategically, especially in introductions, to draw readers in effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grab their attention

Focuses on a sudden, immediate attraction of attention.

pique their curiosity

Emphasizes stimulating curiosity rather than general interest.

spark their imagination

Highlights inspiring creativity and imaginative thinking.

attract their attention

A more general term for drawing attention.

engage their attention

Focuses on keeping someone actively involved and attentive.

draw their focus

Highlights the act of directing their focus to a specific point.

win their interest

Suggests that interest is gained or earned.

appeal to their interests

Focuses on aligning content with existing preferences.

arouse their interest

Implies a gradual awakening of interest.

entice their attention

Highlights the act of tempting or luring attention.

FAQs

How can I "capture their interest" in an opening sentence?

Start with a compelling question, a surprising fact, or a relatable anecdote. For example, instead of saying "This report is about climate change," try "What if I told you that climate change is already affecting your daily life?"

What are some alternatives to "capture their interest"?

You can use alternatives like "grab their attention", "pique their curiosity", or "engage their attention" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "capture their interests" instead of "capture their interest"?

While grammatically correct, "capture their interests" implies appealing to multiple, specific interests someone already has. "Capture their interest" suggests sparking a general curiosity or attention.

How does "capture their interest" differ from "hold their attention"?

"Capture their interest" refers to the initial act of attracting attention, while "hold their attention" implies maintaining that attention over a period of time. You might "capture their interest" with a catchy headline, then work to "hold their attention" with engaging content.