decrease attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decrease attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the reduction of focus or concentration on a particular task or subject. Example: "The constant distractions in the office can significantly decrease attention to detail in our work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Internet is said to decrease attention spans, rather than expand cognitive acuity.

The New York Times

But the new, carefully controlled study shows that some artificial additives increase hyperactivity and decrease attention span in a wide range of children, not just those for whom overactivity has been diagnosed as a learning problem.

The New York Times - Health

The 5-HT2C agonist, WAY-163909, was evaluated in the present paper using a variable stimulus duration and inter-trial interval manipulation in the 5-choice serial reaction time test designed to increase impulsivity and decrease attention.

Behavioural Brain Research

Others grow from more dire murmurs about media's effects on children -- sit too close and you'll ruin your vision, short segments decrease attention span, digital kids can't write standard English.

Huffington Post

Lisa Belkin, HuffPost senior columnist, reports that "playing video games lowers sleep quality and memory in young teens, causes visible changes to the risk and reward processing centers of the brain, and has been shown to decrease attention span or increase it but definitely to alter it".

Huffington Post

I know that playing video games lowers sleep quality and memory in young teens, causes visible changes to the risk and reward processing centers of the brain, and has been shown to decrease attention span or increase it but definitely to alter it.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Something about the rise of digital media platforms and the decreased attention span of readers, goes the accepted logic.

The Guardian - Books

That is the challenge and not one confined to teenagers, since adults are themselves afflicted by too much choice and decreasing attention spans.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps the success of the strict 15-minute time limit is linked to our (apparently) decreasing attention spans.

The New York Times

Re "The Mayor Taxes Will Power" (editorial, July 2): Although nicotine withdrawal is associated with decreased attention and cognition, there is no scientific evidence to support the theory that nicotine reduces stress.

The New York Times

The tape, with Mr. bin Laden contentedly reviewing the death and destruction at the World Trade Center, also seemed somewhat anti-climactic, a reflection of the steadily decreasing attention paid in the Middle East to the war in Afghanistan.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about factors influencing cognitive abilities, use "decrease attention" to clearly indicate a reduction in focus or concentration. For example, "Lack of sleep can significantly decrease attention spans."

Common error

Do not use "decrease attention" when describing something that diverts focus, as this implies a deliberate reduction, not a diversion. Instead, use phrases like "divert attention" or "draw focus away from".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decrease attention" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "decrease" acts as a transitive verb, signifying the act of reducing or lessening, and "attention" serves as the direct object. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in describing a reduction in focus due to various factors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decrease attention" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase for describing a reduction in focus or attentiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It appears most frequently in scientific and news-related contexts and exhibits a neutral to formal register. While alternatives like "reduce focus" or "lessen focus" exist, "decrease attention" offers a clear and concise way to discuss the lessening of focus. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended meaning of reduced attentiveness, rather than simply a diversion of attention. Always consider your audience to better decide the most appropriate language to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reduce focus

This alternative substitutes "attention" with "focus" and "decrease" with "reduce", maintaining a similar meaning.

diminish attentiveness

Replaces "decrease" with "diminish" and "attention" with the more formal "attentiveness".

lessen focus

This option replaces "decrease" with the more informal "lessen" and "attention" with "focus".

lower focus

Using "lower" provides a simpler, more direct synonym for "decrease", while retaining the word "focus".

curtail attention

This alternative uses "curtail" which suggests a more abrupt or controlled reduction of attention.

impair attention

This alternative employs "impair", suggesting that attention is being damaged or weakened.

weaken concentration

This phrase replaces "attention" with "concentration", implying a reduction in the ability to concentrate.

sap focus

Using "sap" suggests that the focus is being gradually depleted or weakened.

attenuate focus

This option uses "attenuate" which refers to a lessening or weakening of something, especially something abstract.

undermine concentration

This implies a gradual weakening of the ability to concentrate.

FAQs

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

You can use "decrease attention" to describe situations where focus or attentiveness is reduced. For instance, "The new medication may "reduce attention" to detail" or "Digital distractions can "lessen focus" on tasks at hand".

What are some alternatives to "decrease attention"?

Alternatives include "reduce focus", "diminish attentiveness", "lessen focus", or "weaken concentration", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Which is more appropriate, "decrease attention" or "reduce attention"?

"Decrease attention" and "reduce attention" are largely interchangeable. "Reduce" is generally more common and versatile, while "decrease" can sound slightly more formal.

What causes "decrease attention"?

Many factors can "reduce attention", including sleep deprivation, distractions, certain medications, and underlying medical conditions. Psychological states like stress and anxiety can also "weaken concentration".