draw attention away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "draw attention away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone or something that has diverted focus from the original topic or issue. For example: "The media was successful in drawing attention away from the president's scandal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He said he wanted to draw attention away from percentages.

The New York Times

The way you present your chosen evidence can also draw attention away from your message.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This time, his "scummy Irish" remarks only served to draw attention away from the opposition.

The Times

"Hillary likes to draw attention away from herself when she lies," Bornt said.

The Guardian

The next line of argument is that vanity projects draw attention away from better musicians.

The Guardian - Music

All the green gloves in the world could not draw attention away from that.

The New York Times

She notes, too, that an interesting sandal can draw attention away from foot flaws.

The New York Times - Style

"You want to look classy but not draw attention away from the dog".

The New York Times

Is it productive to look for the similarities, or does it only draw attention away from the differences?

Columbia University

Such a narrative, he said, would have done less to draw attention away from the uproar over Mr. Romney's response.

The New York Times

Initially, it will be part of a broader effort to draw attention away from the Democratic National Convention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "draw attention away" when you want to highlight a deliberate or unintentional diversion of focus from a particular subject or issue. For example, 'The magician used a flashy trick to "draw attention away" from the hidden mechanism.'

Common error

Avoid using "draw attention away" when you simply mean to add more information or expand on a topic. This phrase implies a diversion, not a supplement. For example, do not say 'The speaker used anecdotes to "draw attention away" from the main topic' if the anecdotes were meant to illustrate the topic further.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw attention away" functions as a verb phrase. It describes an action taken to divert focus from something, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

26%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "draw attention away" is a versatile and grammatically sound verb phrase widely used to describe the act of diverting focus from a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is correct and usable in various contexts, from news reporting and academic discourse to general writing. Its frequency is high, especially in News & Media and Wiki sources. When using this phrase, ensure you intend to convey a redirection of focus rather than simply adding information. Alternatives like "divert attention from" or "deflect attention from" can offer nuanced variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divert attention from

Emphasizes the act of turning attention away from something.

deflect attention from

Suggests an active effort to block or redirect attention.

shift focus from

Highlights a change in the main point of interest.

distract from

Focuses on the act of preventing someone from concentrating on something.

draw focus elsewhere

Indicates redirecting focus to a different location or subject.

red herring

Implies a deliberate attempt to mislead or deceive.

take the spotlight off

Emphasizes removing prominence or public interest.

downplay

Implies reducing the importance or significance of something.

camouflage

Suggests concealing or disguising something to avoid detection.

obscure

Focuses on making something unclear or difficult to see or understand.

FAQs

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

You can use "draw attention away" to describe actions that divert focus. For instance, "The politician's scandal was designed to "draw attention away" from the economic crisis."

What are some alternatives to "draw attention away"?

Alternatives include "divert attention from", "deflect attention from", or "shift focus from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say 'draw attention from' instead of "draw attention away"?

While 'draw attention from' might be understood, "draw attention away" is the more idiomatic and widely accepted phrasing.

What's the difference between "draw attention away" and "attract attention to"?

"Draw attention away" implies a redirection of focus, while "attract attention to" means to bring focus to something. They have opposite meanings.