disproportionate attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "disproportionate attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone is over-focusing on one aspect of something, or when one thing is receiving greater emphasis than is warranted. For example: "The media has given this issue disproportionate attention, considering the relative importance of the topic."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Disproportionate attention has been given to a hypersensitive minority.

The Guardian

Bilingual Maori signage remains, along with a disproportionate attention to that culture's homage to whales.

The New York Times - Arts

People there receive disproportionate attention from presidential candidates during campaigns, which is perhaps a mixed blessing.

The New York Times

The contest received disproportionate attention because it comes early-on Feb. 28 this year.

The New Yorker

This affects less than 1% of taxpayers, but attracts disproportionate attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

The disproportionate attention to Wagner in the arts media surely has a Third Reich subtext too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Spelke is astonished as to why this slight difference favouring boys has attracted such disproportionate attention.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eighty percent of the gay people questioned felt gay characters' sexuality commanded disproportionate attention.

The Guardian - Film

But she was a bit player in intellectual circles, a celebrity whose outspokenness earned her disproportionate attention.

The Economist

From the vendor's perspective, a small number of complaining customers who use social media receive disproportionate attention.

The New York Times - Tech

The international community's disproportionate attention to sexual violence has also raised the status of sexual abuse in a dangerous way.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "disproportionate attention", ensure it's followed by a clear explanation of why the attention is excessive or unwarranted. Provide context to support your claim and avoid using it as a standalone criticism.

Common error

Avoid using "disproportionate attention" without specifying what the attention should be focused on instead. Failing to provide this context leaves the reader wondering about the appropriate balance and weakens your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "disproportionate attention" functions primarily as a descriptor, modifying a noun to indicate that the noun is receiving an imbalanced level of focus. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "disproportionate attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an imbalanced allocation of focus. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's generally considered correct and appropriate for use in written English. It serves to criticize or express concern about situations where something receives an unwarranted or excessive amount of focus, particularly in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, be sure to provide context and specify what the attention should be directed towards for maximum clarity and impact. Alternative phrases like "undue focus" or "excessive emphasis" can be used to add nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undue focus

Changes the noun from "attention" to "focus", implying a similar but slightly more forceful emphasis.

excessive emphasis

Replaces "attention" with "emphasis", suggesting a stronger level of highlighting.

undue weight

Shifts the metaphor to "weight", indicating that something is being given more importance than it deserves.

unwarranted focus

Replaces "disproportionate" with "unwarranted", suggesting that the attention is not justified.

inordinate emphasis

Uses "inordinate" to describe the level of emphasis, implying an excessive amount.

skewed attention

Emphasizes the imbalance in attention, suggesting it's unfairly directed.

lopsided focus

Uses a more informal term, "lopsided", to describe the uneven distribution of focus.

unequal consideration

Shifts to "consideration", focusing on the unequal assessment or treatment.

overemphasis

Condenses the phrase into a single word, implying excessive emphasis.

too much attention

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and informal expression.

FAQs

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

You can use "disproportionate attention" to describe situations where something receives more focus than it deserves, such as "The media gave "disproportionate attention" to the celebrity's minor mishap."

What are some alternatives to "disproportionate attention"?

Some alternatives include "undue focus", "excessive emphasis", or "unwarranted focus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "disproportionate attention" or "excessive attention"?

"Disproportionate attention" implies an imbalance relative to other things, while "excessive attention" simply suggests too much focus. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the imbalance or the excessiveness.

What's the difference between "disproportionate attention" and "selective attention"?

"Disproportionate attention" refers to an imbalanced allocation of focus, while "selective attention" describes the act of choosing to focus on certain things while ignoring others. They are related, but "selective attention" is a cognitive process, while "disproportionate attention" is its potential outcome.