draw attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"draw attention" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of getting someone to notice something. For example: "The mayor's comments drew attention to the need for increased funding in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You'll draw attention to yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

Best not to draw attention.

The Washington Post

Nothing that would draw attention to myself".

The New York Times - Sports

"I want to draw attention to that".

The New York Times - Sports

You regularly draw attention to yourself.

The New York Times

California's outsize budget woes always draw attention.

The New York Times

But his management continues to draw attention.

The New York Times

"Let's not draw attention to ourselves".

The New Yorker

You'll draw attention to our hiding place".

The Guardian

His gestures don't draw attention to themselves".

The New York Times

But don't draw attention to it either.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming to be discreet, consider phrasing to avoid "drawing attention". For example, instead of "draw attention to the problem", try "address the problem discreetly".

Common error

In highly formal or academic writing, avoid overusing "draw attention". Opt for more precise verbs like "demonstrate", "illustrate", or "emphasize" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw attention" functions primarily as a verb phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it signifies the act of causing someone to notice something. The examples show it used to describe both intentional and unintentional acts of attracting notice.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

35%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw attention" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of making something noticeable. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, from news and media to scientific publications and wikis. While alternatives like "attract notice" or "highlight" exist, "draw attention" remains a versatile and generally appropriate choice. When using it, be mindful of the tone and the potential for overuse in very formal settings, and consider whether a more precise verb might be suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract notice

This alternative replaces "draw" with "attract" and "attention" with "notice", maintaining the core meaning of gaining visibility.

grab attention

Replaces "draw" with "grab", implying a more forceful or immediate capturing of attention.

call attention to

This shifts the focus to actively directing attention towards something specific.

highlight

A more concise way to say to make something prominent or noticeable.

bring to the fore

Emphasizes making something more prominent or important.

focus on

Directs attention to a particular subject or area.

shine a light on

Metaphorically emphasizes making something clear and visible.

underscore

To emphasize or stress something.

accentuate

Highlights a particular feature or aspect.

emphasize

Stresses the importance of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "draw attention" to indicate that something causes people to notice it, such as "The bright colors of the painting "draw attention" to it."

What are some alternatives to "draw attention"?

Alternatives include "attract notice", "grab attention", or "call attention to", which can be used depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "draw attention to" or simply "emphasize"?

While both can be used to highlight something, "draw attention to" implies making something noticeable, whereas "emphasize" suggests stressing its importance. The choice depends on the specific context.

When should I avoid using the phrase "draw attention"?

In situations where discretion is important, or in very formal writing, it may be better to use a more subtle phrasing. For example, instead of saying "This will "draw attention"", you could say "This will become apparent".