conscious attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"conscious attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the intentional focus of your mind on a particular task, thought, or object. For example: "I tried to bring my full conscious attention to the task of completing the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Conscious attention is relatively slow and effortful.

The New York Times

Most of all, Leland required my conscious attention.

The New Yorker

Dr. Hoffman said that conscious attention was like a spotlight.

The New York Times - Health

These devices engage you intellectually, distracting your conscious attention from the other, deeper plane on which "Metamorphoses" operates.

The New York Times

The more a procedure is automated, and the more comfortable we become with it, the less conscious attention we feel we need to pay it.

The New Yorker

Cogmed and the other companies stake their claims on "working memory," the ability to keep information the focus of conscious attention, despite distractions mental juggling, in other words.

The New Yorker

The brain focuses conscious attention on one thing at a time, at the expense of others, regardless of where the eyes are pointing.

The New York Times - Science

Even as "Doubt" holds your conscious attention as an intelligently measured debate play, it sends off emotional stealth charges that go far deeper.

The New York Times

According to Mencius, willing entails the transformative moral act insofar as the propensity of humans to be good is activated whenever they decide to bring it to their conscious attention.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The trouble is, while our conscious attention is focused on the task in hand, the unconscious attention system doesn't shut down; it's still very much online, scanning for anything important in your peripheral senses.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

With their class-conscious attention to spelling and sesquipedalian words, they pronounced their membership in the intelligentsia.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conscious attention" when you want to emphasize the deliberate and focused nature of someone's attention. It's particularly useful when contrasting it with automatic or unconscious processes.

Common error

Avoid using "conscious attention" interchangeably with the simple phrase "paying attention" unless you specifically want to highlight the deliberate and mindful effort involved. "Paying attention" can often suffice for general contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conscious attention" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It refers to the deliberate and focused mental effort directed towards a specific object, thought, or task. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

34%

News & Media

32%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "conscious attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase that denotes the deliberate and focused mental effort towards something. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is used correctly and effectively across various domains, especially in science and news. While alternatives like "deliberate focus" or "mindful awareness" exist, "conscious attention" is particularly useful when emphasizing the intentional nature of the act. When using "conscious attention", ensure the context benefits from highlighting this deliberate focus, rather than using it as a simple substitute for "paying attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliberate focus

This alternative suggests a more intentional and planned allocation of attention.

mindful awareness

This phrase highlights the present-moment quality of attention, emphasizing awareness of one's thoughts and surroundings.

intentional awareness

Focuses more on the intention behind the awareness, implying a deliberate choice to be aware.

active concentration

Emphasizes the effort and engagement involved in focusing attention.

attentive focus

Highlights the quality of being attentive while focusing.

focused awareness

In this variation the attention is more targeted, with a sense of alertness to relevant stimuli.

willful mindfulness

This combines the concepts of intention and present moment awareness

observant consideration

This alternative suggests a careful and thoughtful observation of something.

knowing attention

Implies that attention is coupled with knowledge or understanding.

purposeful observation

Focuses on the intention behind the act of observing.

FAQs

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

To effectively use "conscious attention", ensure the context emphasizes a deliberate and focused mental effort. For example, "Meditation requires "conscious attention" to your breath."

What are some alternatives to "conscious attention"?

You can use alternatives like "deliberate focus", "mindful awareness", or "intentional awareness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "conscious attention" and "paying attention"?

"Conscious attention" implies a more deliberate and focused effort, while "paying attention" can refer to a more general awareness. For instance, you might "pay attention" to a conversation, but giving something your ""conscious attention"" suggests deeper engagement.

In what contexts is "conscious attention" most appropriate?

"Conscious attention" is particularly suitable in contexts discussing cognitive processes, mindfulness, or situations where deliberate focus is required, such as in psychology, meditation, or learning environments.