deflecting attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deflecting attention" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means diverting or redirecting focus away from someone or something. Example: The politician's scandal was quickly overshadowed by a controversy involving their rival, effectively deflecting attention from their wrongdoings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"All right, all right," Woodfox said, deflecting attention.

The New Yorker

But deflecting attention from a problem is not the same as solving it.

The Economist

By inappropriately deflecting attention from herself, she makes herself the center of attention.

The New Yorker

The verbal onslaught seemed aimed at deflecting attention from those problems.

The New York Times

Pedantic critics can obstruct a serious engagement with literature by deflecting attention toward inessential matters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Although she was intellectually confident, she spoke softly, deflecting attention away from herself.

The New Yorker

Immigration has been one of several issues deflecting attention from Perry's jobs record and economic plan.

The Washington Post

Actions may be simultaneous, deflecting attention from one another, or sequential.

The New York Times - Arts

Sinfield has established a career-long reputation for deflecting attention away from himself.

The Guardian - Sport

As Pennington has blossomed on the field, he has become particularly adept at deflecting attention.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a classic trick, deflecting attention from himself, yet Jones is sincere.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "deflecting attention" when you want to emphasize the act of redirecting focus, often to avoid scrutiny or cover up an issue. It's particularly useful in political, business, or personal contexts where someone is trying to avoid being the center of attention.

Common error

Avoid using "deflecting attention" when the intention is not to deceive or mislead. Sometimes attention shifts naturally due to other events; in such cases, a more neutral phrase like "attention shifted" is more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deflecting attention" functions as a gerund phrase, often serving as a noun in a sentence. It describes the act of diverting or redirecting focus. Ludwig provides numerous examples showing its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deflecting attention" is a grammatically correct and frequently used gerund phrase that describes the act of redirecting focus, often to avoid scrutiny. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While generally neutral in register, the implication of the phrase can vary depending on the context. When using "deflecting attention", ensure that you are accurately representing the intention behind the action and consider alternative phrases like "diverting focus" or "redirecting attention" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

diverting focus

Focus is diverted instead of attention.

redirecting attention

Attention is redirected as opposed to deflected.

drawing attention away from

The verb 'drawing' implies a slightly different mechanism of moving attention.

shifting the focus

The noun is 'focus' instead of 'attention', implying a broader concept.

drawing focus away from

The verb 'drawing' implies a slightly different mechanism of moving focus.

diverting scrutiny

Replaces 'attention' with 'scrutiny', implying a more critical observation.

taking the spotlight off

Replaces 'attention' with 'spotlight', using a more metaphorical term.

evading notice

Focuses on avoiding being noticed, rather than just diverting attention.

obscuring the issue

Focuses on making the issue less clear, rather than moving attention.

mitigating visibility

More formal and focuses on reducing how visible something is.

FAQs

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

You can use "deflecting attention" to describe actions that divert focus from a particular issue or person. For instance: "The politician was accused of "deflecting attention" from the scandal by launching a new initiative".

What are some alternatives to "deflecting attention"?

Alternatives include "diverting focus", "redirecting attention", or "drawing attention away from", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "deflecting attention" in formal writing?

Yes, "deflecting attention" is appropriate for formal writing, particularly in analytical or critical contexts. However, ensure the tone remains objective, especially when discussing potentially controversial actions.

What's the difference between "deflecting attention" and "drawing focus"?

"Deflecting attention" often implies a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny, while "drawing focus" can be a more neutral or even positive action aimed at highlighting something different. The connotation depends heavily on context.