direct attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"direct attention" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to guide someone's focus to some specific object or goal. For example: "I directed the students' attention to the main points of the lecture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Direct attention to foreclosures.

The Guardian - Business

How do I direct attention to something.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

A primary task of leadership is to direct attention.

Harvard Business Review

When there's arousal, they have to direct attention.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

As one character says: "Almost anything that you pay close, direct attention to becomes interesting".

The Guardian - Books

They're catchy, but their effect is to direct attention toward the longer, more substantial songs.

The New Yorker

As a culture shaper, language helps us to direct attention and action.

Harvard University

JZ also talks about fandom, and celebrities who choose to direct attention toward specific causes.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Yet it gets amazingly little direct attention or funding from product makers, universities, or the government.

Harvard Business Review

WE would like to direct attention to results obtained from a keyboard training experiment.

Nature

Most of the Republicans were there to defend him, or failing that, to direct attention elsewhere.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "direct attention" when you want to guide the focus of an audience or reader to a specific point or subject. It's particularly useful in formal writing and presentations.

Common error

Avoid using "direct attention" in very casual conversations. Simpler phrases like "look at" or "check out" are more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "direct attention" functions primarily as a verb phrase, where "direct" is the verb and "attention" is the noun acting as the object. It is used to guide or channel focus toward a specific target, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

32%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "direct attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for guiding focus, as confirmed by Ludwig. It's categorized as a verb phrase commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts. Ludwig AI identifies its function as actively channeling focus toward a specific subject. While versatile, it is best used in formal and professional settings. Consider alternatives like "draw attention to" or "highlight" for nuanced expressions. Using "direct attention" effectively can clarify communication, ensuring your audience focuses on key elements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

draw attention to

Focuses on making something noticeable or prominent.

call attention to

Emphasizes specifically pointing something out.

draw focus to

Similar to drawing attention, but emphasizes a visual aspect.

focus on

Implies concentrating efforts or thoughts.

turn attention to

Suggests a shift in focus or consideration.

highlight

Suggests emphasizing key aspects.

give prominence to

Indicates highlighting something important.

point out

Indicates bringing something to someone's notice.

emphasize

Stresses the importance of something.

spotlight

Similar to highlight, suggesting a focus on something special.

FAQs

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

You can use "direct attention" to guide focus, such as, "The speaker directed the audience's attention to the key data points."

What are some alternatives to "direct attention"?

Some alternatives include "draw attention to", "call attention to", or simply "focus on".

When is it best to use "direct attention" instead of "focus on"?

"Direct attention" is often used when you are actively guiding someone's focus, while "focus on" implies more of a concentration on a subject.

Is "direct attention to" more formal than "draw attention to"?

While both are relatively formal, "direct attention to" can be perceived as slightly more formal compared to "draw attention to", which has a broader range of use.