caught their attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caught their attention" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to describe someone noticing or paying attention to something. For example: The bright colors of the fireworks display caught their attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

Another Meserole Street building caught their attention.

The New York Times

An enormous one-bedroom caught their attention.

The New York Times

The other day, one, however caught their attention.

The New Yorker

The gigantic video board at Cowboys Stadium caught their attention.

The New York Times - Sports

The Sussex caught their attention in 1995, Mr. Stemm said.

The New York Times

Roedelius caught their attention and briefly became a child star.

The Guardian - Music

Federal law enforcement officials would not discuss why Dr. Berry first caught their attention.

The New York Times

I doubt they knew what he was on about, but Bonde had caught their attention.

The Guardian

Mr. Mailer and other New York literary figures sponsored Mr. Abbott, whose prison writing had caught their attention.

The New York Times - Books

I don't know why I caught their attention, but I cursed myself for reading Walden on a late-night bus.

The Guardian - Opinion

But it was not the helicopters hovering overhead or the antiaircraft weapons or the soldiers in camouflage that caught their attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing something that unexpectedly grabs attention, "caught their attention" is effective. For planned attempts to gain attention, consider alternatives like "attracted their attention" or "drew their focus".

Common error

Avoid using "caught their attention" when the subject is not clearly defined. Ensure the sentence clearly indicates what caused the attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caught their attention" functions as a verb phrase indicating that something or someone has successfully attracted someone's notice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and broad applicability, supported by numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caught their attention" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe something that someone noticed. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, showing it's broadly applicable across diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media. While alternatives like "attracted their notice" or "piqued their interest" exist, "caught their attention" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing styles. When using the expression, make sure to clearly define the subject and the cause of the attention to avoid passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attracted their notice

Replaces "attention" with "notice", slightly more formal.

got their notice

Uses 'got' instead of 'caught', making it slightly more colloquial.

piqued their interest

Suggests a stimulation of curiosity, going beyond simple attention.

drew their focus

Emphasizes a deliberate shift of concentration.

intrigued them

Signifies a sense of mystery or fascination leading to their attention.

seized their awareness

Implies a more forceful and immediate capture of attention.

commanded their gaze

Focuses specifically on visual attention.

arrested their ears

It means attracted their auditory attention.

claimed their minds

Refers to mental attention or thinking about something.

beckoned them

Emphasizes invitation and attraction.

FAQs

What does "caught their attention" mean?

The phrase "caught their attention" means that something or someone attracted their notice or interest. It implies that their focus was drawn to it, often unexpectedly.

How can I use "caught their attention" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe something that someone noticed. For example: "The bright colors of the painting "caught their attention"."

What are some alternatives to "caught their attention"?

Alternatives include "attracted their notice", "piqued their interest", or "drew their focus", each with slightly different nuances.

Is "caught their attention" formal or informal?

The phrase "caught their attention" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly used in news articles, books, and everyday conversations.