center attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"center attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the focus or priority in a given situation. For example, "The company decided to center their attention on increasing profits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

His scores are obsessively intricate, with constant fluctuations that center attention on the podium.

The New York Times - Arts

Donations may be sent to the Suffolk YJCC, 74 Hauppauge Road Commack, NY 11725, c/o The Judy Lazar Parenting Center, attention Joel A. Block, Executive Director.

The New York Times

Funeral services Sunday March 14th at 12noon at Plaza Jewish Community Chapel, Amsterdam Ave .and W. 91st St. Contributions may be made to New York Blood Center, Attention: Development, PO Box 9674, Uniondale, NY 11553-9814.

The New York Times

On Saturday night at the main Olympic stadium, Nesterenko, who had never broken 11 seconds before these Games, stormed out of anonymity and into the center attention in one of track's showcase events.

The New York Times - Sports

Starting with three remarkable pieces of work, we center attention on a number of events that initiated and developed basic topics that are still nowadays a matter of research and inquire, from goal directed activity theories to circular causality and to reverberations and learning.

Biosystems

It has been proposed that the real reason biologists center attention on genes and DNA is that genes are difference makers that can be used to trace and manipulate a broad range of biological processes (Waters 2004a and 2006).

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

I touched on the Nature paper yesterday in a roundup of ice research, but it deserves front-and-center attention, particularly given its relevance to recent narratives about Greenland's meltdown being the key worry if you live on a coast.

The New York Times

Voldetool just loves being the center of attention, any attention.

Huffington Post

"It becomes the center of attention, when the center of attention should be at the main altar," he said.

The New York Times

Center of Attention: How Facebook Users Allocate Attention across Friends.

Cornell University

And I like being the center of attention, and you could never be the center of attention with him".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "center attention" when you want to emphasize a deliberate and intentional focus on a specific subject or issue.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "center attention" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for more natural alternatives like "focus on" or "pay attention to" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "center attention" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of focusing or prioritizing something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to describe the action of directing focus onto a specific area or subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "center attention" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of deliberately focusing on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in written English to convey focus or priority. Although not as common as other alternatives like "focus attention", it is most frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts. When writing, consider the formality of the situation and choose a more casual phrase if appropriate. While correct, the phrase's slight formality can make it sound unnatural in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus attention

Similar meaning, but uses "focus" instead of "center", emphasizing directing attention.

direct focus

Similar to "focus attention" but slightly more formal.

concentrate focus

Emphasizes a more intense and sustained focus.

prioritize attention

Highlights the act of ranking attention as a high priority.

draw attention

Implies attracting attention rather than intentionally focusing it.

highlight focus

Similar to "spotlight attention" but slightly less dramatic.

emphasize attention

Suggests stressing the importance of attention on something.

give prominence

Shifts the focus to the act of making something prominent.

spotlight attention

Evokes the image of shining a spotlight, making something very prominent.

gravitate toward

Describes a natural tendency to focus on something, rather than a directed effort.

FAQs

How can I use "center attention" in a sentence?

You can use "center attention" to indicate where the main focus or priority lies. For instance, "The company decided to center attention on improving customer service."

What does it mean to "center attention" on something?

To "center attention" on something means to focus on it primarily, making it the main point of interest or concern. It implies a deliberate and concentrated effort to address or understand that specific thing.

Are there any synonyms for "center attention"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "focus attention", "draw attention", or "direct focus" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "center attention on" or "center attention to"?

"Center attention on" is generally preferred and more common. While "center attention to" is not grammatically incorrect, it's less frequently used and may sound slightly awkward in some contexts.