capturing attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"capturing attention" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It refers to the act of attracting or holding someone's focus or interest. You can use this phrase whenever you want to describe something that successfully grabs and holds someone's attention. Example: The flashy colors and bold font of the advertisement were effective in capturing attention and drawing customers to the store.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It thrives on imaginative, symbolic ways of capturing attention — slogans, memes, public art.

The New Yorker

TORONTO — The lively political drawings of Ralph Steadman have been capturing attention for decades.

The New York Times

Recently, alternative concepts of molten-salt fuel cells have been capturing attention.

Journal of Power Sources

This works well in a retrograde sport capturing attention in a time of moral and gender confusion.

The New York Times - Sports

Capturing attention in show-biz circles has helped the outerwear brand boost sales of its thousand-dollar coats.

The New Yorker

TheYouTube economy rewards capturing attention in the first five seconds more than a slow build to a wondrous payoff.

The Guardian

The billion-user social network has emerged as the news business' most potent competitor, capturing attention and advertising on the path to monopoly status.

The Guardian - Opinion

The account of Snell's law of refraction (1621) went unpublished, capturing attention only when the Dutch physicist Christiaan Huygens related Snell's finding in Dioptrica (1703).

Encyclopedia Britannica

She parlayed Swiss typography and simple graphic elements into designs as playful and brainy as MIT itself, capturing attention with visual puns, puzzles, and metaphors.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The battle to avoid relegation unfailingly captures attention.

The New York Times

The unofficial jails have captured attention in recent months.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, consider the ethical implications of "capturing attention" – ensure that you are not sensationalizing or misrepresenting information.

Common error

Avoid using passive voice when describing the act of "capturing attention". Instead of saying "Attention was captured by the advertisement", use active voice: "The advertisement captured attention".

Linguistic Context

The gerund phrase "capturing attention" functions primarily as a verbal noun, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the act of gaining someone's focus or interest. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is commonly and correctly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "capturing attention" is a versatile and grammatically correct gerund phrase that means attracting or gaining someone's focus. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread and correct usage across various contexts. While suitable for both formal and informal writing, using active voice and vivid language can enhance its impact. Consider alternatives like "grabbing focus" or "drawing interest" depending on your specific context. The phrase is very common in news, science, and academic writing, making it a crucial tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grabbing focus

Replaces "attention" with "focus" and uses a more informal verb.

drawing interest

Emphasizes the act of attracting interest rather than just attention.

attracting awareness

Focuses on creating awareness as a way of gaining attention.

gaining prominence

Highlights the act of becoming noticeable or important.

commanding notice

Suggests a more forceful or authoritative way of attracting attention.

seizing limelight

Implies taking center stage and becoming the main focus.

piquing curiosity

Focuses on arousing curiosity to attract attention.

arresting gaze

More dramatic, emphasizes holding someone's visual attention.

engaging mindshare

A business term for occupying people's thoughts and attention.

winning hearts and minds

Capturing not only attention but also approval and support.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "capturing attention" in a sentence?

Use "capturing attention" to describe methods or strategies that successfully attract someone's focus. For example: "The vibrant colors were key to capturing attention".

What are some alternatives to "capturing attention"?

You can use alternatives like "grabbing focus", "drawing interest", or "attracting awareness" depending on the context.

Is "capturing attention" formal or informal language?

"Capturing attention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more formal settings may benefit from stronger alternatives like "commanding notice".

What makes "capturing attention" different from "holding attention"?

"Capturing attention" refers to the initial act of attracting focus, while "holding attention" implies maintaining that focus over a period. They describe different stages of engagement.