divert attention from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "divert attention from" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase in order to indicate that someone or something is taking attention away from something else. In other words, distracting or drawing away attention. For example: The flashy graphics in the video game diverted attention from the poor game controls.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's just trying to divert attention from First Amendment issues.

The New York Times - Magazine

Anything to divert attention from their own atrocities.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Bush wants to divert attention from his domestic problems.. . .

The Washington Post

Is it to divert attention from something else?

The Guardian

The energies needed for a snap election might divert attention from such structural reforms.

The Economist

Rather it seems a ploy to divert attention from his mounting difficulties at home.

The Economist

It will divert attention from the broader reforms that rich countries need.

The Economist

Lows: Cheap plastic touch points inside divert attention from nice leather seats and trim.

The New York Times

Anything with the potential to divert attention from the food itself has been minimized or eliminated.

The New York Times - Food

Such measures may temporarily divert attention from the issue, but they are unlikely to be effective.

The New York Times

But while such details are riveting, they divert attention from the real meaning of the case.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "divert attention from", ensure that the subject doing the diverting is clear to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The politician's scandal diverted attention from the economic crisis."

Common error

Avoid using "divert attention from" when the shift in focus is unintentional or natural. This phrase implies a deliberate attempt to redirect focus. Instead of saying "The accident diverted attention from the meeting", consider "The accident overshadowed the meeting" if it wasn't a planned distraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "divert attention from" functions as a verb phrase. It indicates an action aimed at redirecting focus away from a specific topic or issue, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "divert attention from" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of redirecting focus away from a particular subject. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, implying a strategic redirection, often to mitigate scrutiny or shift public perception. While alternatives like "deflect focus from" or "distract from" exist, understanding the deliberate nature of the phrase is key to its correct application. Remember to be clear about the subject doing the diverting and avoid using it in unintentional scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deflect focus from

Replaces "divert" with "deflect", suggesting a more active redirection of focus.

draw attention away from

Uses "draw away" instead of "divert", emphasizing the act of pulling attention elsewhere.

distract from

Simplifies the phrase to "distract", focusing on the act of diverting without explicitly mentioning attention.

redirect focus from

Substitutes "divert" with "redirect", implying a change in direction of focus.

shift the spotlight away from

Employs a metaphorical expression, replacing "attention" with "spotlight" for a more vivid image.

take the heat off

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of reducing pressure or scrutiny.

draw the eye away from

Uses "draw the eye away from" instead of "divert attention from", suggesting visual distraction.

lead away from

Uses "lead away from" instead of "divert attention from", suggesting a more subtle redirection.

detract from

Focuses on reducing the value or importance of something, rather than directly shifting attention.

obscure the importance of

Uses "obscure" to suggest making something less clear or prominent, indirectly diverting attention.

FAQs

How to use "divert attention from" in a sentence?

Use "divert attention from" to show that someone or something is intentionally drawing focus away from a particular subject. For instance, "The company released a new product to divert attention from its financial troubles."

What can I say instead of "divert attention from"?

You can use alternatives like "deflect focus from", "distract from", or "redirect focus from" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "divert attention from" and "shift attention to"?

"Divert attention from" implies drawing focus away from something, potentially negative, while "shift attention to" suggests redirecting focus to something else, which may not necessarily be a distraction but a change in topic.

Which is correct, "divert attention from" or "divert the attention from"?

"Divert attention from" is more concise and commonly used than "divert the attention from". Both are grammatically correct, but the former is preferred for its directness.