direct attention toward

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "direct attention toward" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that someone should focus on a specific subject or issue. Example: "In this meeting, I would like to direct attention toward the upcoming project deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

This produces an estimate of the attentional bias: a more positive number indicates a greater tendency to direct attention toward the fearful face (a greater negative attentional bias).

Biological Psychiatry

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

The New Yorker

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

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Traditional yoga practices, including postures and meditation, direct attention toward one's health, while acknowledging the spiritual aspects of one's nature.

Complementary Therapies in Medicine

Current acts, like Oneohtrix Point Never and Emeralds, have helped direct attention toward a gentler electronic sound that is still open to chaos.

The New Yorker

Most important, they could embrace a deal-making framework that would direct attention toward urgent needs: discretionary programs for now, structural entitlement reforms that accumulate over time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Considering its role in recruiting attentional resources and directing attention toward emotional stimuli [ 32, 33], hyper-responsiveness of the amygdala might be a neural mechanism exerting influence on negatively biased attention.

BMC Psychiatry

If the probe always appears in the location of the positive stimulus, a habit of automatically directing attention toward positive stimuli is encouraged that is, patients develop a positive attentional bias.

Biological Psychiatry

But some conservatives argue that reminders of the Clinton years may hurt Mr. Kerry, especially if public discussions of the book give Mr. Bush's allies a chance to re-direct attention toward the Clinton administration's failures in the fight against terrorism.

The New York Times

Results indicate that simply and volitionally directing attention toward or away from emotional content correspondingly modulates amygdala and ACC activity.

Neuroscience Letters

And in directing attention toward behavior in individual households instead of national trends and overarching theories, he helped revive the field of development economics, which is now largely concerned with the micro rather than macro.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "direct attention toward", ensure the subject you are directing attention to is clearly defined and relevant to the context. This will help avoid ambiguity and ensure your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "direct attention toward" in excessively passive constructions, as this can weaken the impact of your statement. Instead of saying "Attention should be directed toward...", try "We should direct attention toward...".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "direct attention toward" functions as a verb phrase that actively guides or channels focus. It is used to indicate where emphasis or consideration should be placed, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

39%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "direct attention toward" is a grammatically sound expression used to guide focus or emphasis towards a specific subject. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it is considered to have an uncommon usage frequency. It frequently appears in scientific and news-related contexts, suggesting a formal or structured communication style. Alternatives such as "focus attention on" or "draw attention to" offer similar meanings. When employing the phrase, it is crucial to ensure that the subject of attention is well-defined to avoid ambiguity and maximize clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus attention on

Implies a concentration of effort on a particular subject.

draw attention to

Suggests highlighting something to make it more noticeable.

call attention to

Similar to drawing attention, but can also imply a request for consideration.

turn attention to

Indicates a change of focus from one thing to another.

point attention to

Emphasizes directing someone's focus with a specific intent.

highlight

Focuses on making something stand out.

emphasize

Stresses the importance of something.

underscore

Similar to emphasize, but often implies revealing something not immediately obvious.

spotlight

Implies bringing something into sharp focus.

concentrate on

Implies a deeper focus or immersion.

FAQs

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

You can use "direct attention toward" to indicate that someone should focus on a specific subject. For example, "The report aims to direct attention toward the need for better environmental regulations."

What are some alternatives to "direct attention toward"?

You can use alternatives like "focus attention on", "draw attention to", or "turn attention to" depending on the context.

Is "direct attention to" or "direct attention toward" more appropriate?

"Direct attention to" and "direct attention toward" are both grammatically correct and can be used interchangeably. "Direct attention toward" might emphasize a direction or goal.

What is the difference between "call attention to" and "direct attention toward"?

"Call attention to" generally means to make something noticeable, while "direct attention toward" means to guide focus in a specific direction or towards a particular purpose. They can often be used interchangeably, but "direct attention toward" has a more intentional feel.