directing attention to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "directing attention to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to highlight or emphasize a particular point or subject in your writing. Example: "The report is effective in directing attention to the key issues that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As well as directing attention to him, the title also suggests how to look at him.

The Guardian - Books

That deficit appears to be due to difficulties in directing attention to the eyes of others, which is important for discerning fear.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Known professionally as Fay Bennett, she held posts at the National Sharecroppers Fund from 1952 through 1974, directing attention to rural poverty.

The New York Times

As injuries and inconsistency have exposed his role in the Mets' lack of organizational depth, Minaya has compounded problems by directing attention to himself.

The New York Times

The composer described listening as a necessary pause before thoughtful action: "Listening is directing attention to what is heard, gathering meaning, interpreting and deciding on action".

The New Yorker

"Today," Monrad writes, Dylan "is more interested in directing attention to 'The Brazil Series,' which he feels is a far more accurate reflection of his endeavors within pictorial art".

The New York Times - Books

But it can also involve the artists' directing attention to personal experience or a particular moment in history, as in Vivan Sundaram's photomontage of historical imagery of his family as the basis for an exploration of his Indian identity.

The New York Times

The MySpace selfie suggested a striptease (many men posed with their shirts off, directing attention to their torso); Facebook profile photos were generally proper — even preppy — in focus, and well lit.

The New Yorker

The genocide there is thus an unattended stepchild left to well-meaning groups and individuals who further sap the possibility of decisive action by directing attention to delicate measures of relief and equally fragile diplomacy.

The New York Times

His own work, however, had the overwhelming effect of directing attention to mechanical, presumably efficient, causes.

SEP

The skills rely on the individual directing attention to patterns of activation and calming in the body.

Health & Justice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directing attention to" when you want to steer the reader's focus towards a specific aspect or detail within a broader context. For example, "Directing attention to the fine print can reveal crucial information."

Common error

Avoid using "directing attention to" in overly passive constructions. Instead of writing "Attention is being directed to the problem", opt for a more active voice: "The committee is directing attention to the problem."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "directing attention to" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a verb or noun. It serves to guide the focus of the audience towards a particular element or aspect. Ludwig AI affirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

41%

News & Media

39%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "directing attention to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It serves the purpose of guiding focus and emphasizing specific information, predominantly in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While generally neutral, the phrase lends itself well to professional and formal settings. Alternatives such as "focusing on" or "highlighting" offer similar nuances. When using the expression, be mindful of employing an active voice and avoid overusing it in passive constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focusing attention on

Emphasizes concentration on a particular subject.

drawing attention to

Highlights the act of making something noticeable.

highlighting

Implies emphasizing or marking something as important.

calling attention to

Suggests a more forceful or deliberate act of making something noticeable.

pointing out

Indicates bringing something to someone's notice, often something specific.

emphasizing

Focuses on stressing the importance of something.

spotlighting

Implies focusing intense attention on something.

underscoring

Suggests reinforcing or emphasizing a particular aspect.

giving prominence to

Highlights the act of elevating something to a position of importance.

pinpointing

Suggests identifying with precision the important aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "directing attention to" in a sentence?

You can use "directing attention to" to emphasize a specific point or subject in your writing. For example, "The report is effective in "directing attention to" the key issues that need to be addressed."

What are some alternatives to "directing attention to"?

Alternatives include "focusing on", "highlighting", or "emphasizing", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "directing attention to" or "drawing attention to"?

Both phrases are correct, but "drawing attention to" often implies making something noticeable that wasn't before, while "directing attention to" suggests guiding existing focus.

What's the difference between "directing attention to" and "dedicating attention to"?

"Dedicating attention to" implies committing resources or time, whereas "directing attention to" means guiding focus or emphasis toward something specific.