catch the attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"catch the attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to make a statement about something that draws someone's awareness. For example: "The dramatic sky caught everyone's attention and made them stop and look up in wonder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That appeared to catch the attention of the F.D.A.

The New York Times - Health

"Surely that alone should catch the attention of Conservative Central Office?" he added.

Independent

Falklanders had to wait for a foreign invasion to catch the attention of Downing Street.

The Economist

That will catch the attention of very wealthy investors in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

The New York Times

This tournament has yet to catch the attention of the nation.

The Guardian - Sport

The NASA and Berkeley researchers hope the data will catch the attention of architects and builders.

The New York Times - Science

Dern canted herself over the counter and waited to catch the attention of a bearded clerk.

The New Yorker

Hopper began to catch the attention of critics, one of whom was Lloyd Goodrich.

The Guardian - Arts

Cassel's performance Sunday will not catch the attention of supermodels, like Brady's girlfriend Gisele Bündchen.

The New York Times

Or are you keen to catch the attention of a popular vlogger?

The Guardian

The first is how she has managed to catch the attention of the global media.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "catch the attention" when you want to emphasize the act of something drawing someone's awareness, often implying an active or deliberate effort to do so.

Common error

Avoid using "catch the attention" when the subject passively receives attention without any action. Opt for phrases like "receive attention" or "attract notice" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "catch the attention" functions as a verb phrase where "catch" is the verb and "the attention" is the object. It indicates the act of drawing someone's awareness or notice to something, often implying an intentional effort. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "catch the attention" is a common and grammatically sound English expression used to describe the act of drawing someone's awareness or notice. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans across various contexts, most notably in news and media, science, and wiki articles. While versatile, it's best used when emphasizing the active drawing of attention, and it's crucial to avoid misusing it in passive contexts. Alternatives such as "attract interest" or "draw attention" may be more suitable depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. With a high source quality score and consistent usage, mastering this phrase can significantly enhance clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw attention

Uses "draw" instead of "catch", implying a more gradual attraction of awareness.

get someone's attention

Specifies that the attention is directed towards a person.

grab attention

Emphasizes a more immediate and forceful attraction of attention using "grab".

attract interest

Replaces "catch" with "attract" and "attention" with "interest", slightly more formal.

gain notice

Focuses on receiving notice rather than actively catching attention.

become noticeable

Shifts the focus to the subject becoming prominent and easily seen.

stand out

Highlights the act of being different and prominent, which naturally attracts attention.

arouse curiosity

Focuses on stimulating interest or inquisitiveness, leading to attention.

appeal to

Implies a deliberate attempt to be attractive or interesting to someone or something.

command recognition

Highlights the act of inspiring to recognition.

FAQs

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

You can use "catch the attention" to describe something that successfully draws someone's awareness. For example: "The bright colors of the poster helped to "catch the attention" of passersby."

What can I say instead of "catch the attention"?

You can use alternatives like "attract interest", "draw attention", or "grab attention" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "catch the attention of" or "catch the attention from"?

The correct phrase is "catch the attention of". Using "from" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

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

"Catch the attention" refers to initially drawing someone's awareness, while "hold the attention" means maintaining that awareness over a period of time.