draw attention to an issue

USAGE SUMMARY

This phrase is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of a problem or situation, for example: The mayor made a speech to draw attention to the issue of poverty in our city.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

(When the United Nations wants to draw attention to an issue, it usually gets a day. For a particularly intractable problem, it often gets a year).

The New York Times

"Using satellite imagery really allowed us to draw attention to an issue that was completely overlooked and there was just no information available.

The Guardian

In a letter to Mr. Obama and in a briefing here, the organizations tried to draw attention to an issue that has been largely overshadowed ahead of the meetings by thorny questions about the two countries' economic and military relationships and pressing international issues like Syria, Iran and North Korea.

The New York Times

Groups such as Anonymous and LulzSec hack for fun ("lulz" in web jargon) or to draw attention to an issue, typically by defacing websites or launching distributed-denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, which involve sending huge amounts of traffic to websites to knock them offline.

The Economist

"I never cease to be amazed at the supine nature of MPs and the power of patronage at work in the Commons". Other MPs put forward private member's bills which are very unlikely to be passed in to law, but draw attention to an issue.

BBC

They're either trying to fight prejudice, draw attention to an issue or call for action".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Suggesting that female journalists are doing something wrong when they are successful in drawing attention to an issue is as incorrect as it is a blatantly sexist attempt to silence us.

The Guardian - Opinion

The hoax draws attention to an issue that was affecting as much as 15percentt of the adolescent population in 2008, according to the New York Times.

Huffington Post

Some students might be annoyed by No Red Tape, but it's hard to deny that the group is drawing attention to an issue that has been largely swept under the rug by schools for decades.

Huffington Post

Bussman said Invisible Children did what it had to do to draw attention to an important issue.

The Guardian

Stay as objective as possible and simply draw attention to an interpersonal issue that needs to be resolved.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and choose the most effective medium to "draw attention to an issue", whether it's a formal report, a social media campaign, or a public demonstration.

Common error

Avoid vague statements that simply "draw attention to an issue" without specifying who should be paying attention or what the expected outcome is. Be specific about the intended audience and the desired impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "draw attention to an issue" functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig AI highlights that this phrase effectively directs focus towards a specific problem or situation requiring acknowledgement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "draw attention to an issue" is a common and grammatically correct way to highlight a problem or subject. Ludwig AI confirms this, and suggests it is used to emphasize the importance of a particular matter and prompt action or discussion. Analysis of usage contexts reveals that it appears most frequently in news and media, science, and academic writing. While it is considered to have a neutral register, it's important to use the phrase with specific context that clarifies what is important, to whom, and why. Consider using alternatives like "highlight a problem" or "raise awareness about a matter" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call attention to a problem

Uses "call" instead of "draw", slightly more direct.

highlight a problem

Focuses on making the problem more visible.

spotlight a concern

Emphasizes bringing a specific concern into focus.

raise awareness about a matter

Focuses on increasing public knowledge about a subject.

bring a topic to the forefront

Highlights moving a specific topic into a prominent position.

shed light on a subject

Uses a metaphorical expression about enlightenment.

focus on an area of concern

Emphasizes concentrating on a specific worry.

emphasize an important subject

Directly highlights the importance of the issue.

underscore a critical point

Stresses the significance of a particular argument.

address an urgent concern

Highlights the need to tackle the concern promptly.

FAQs

What does "draw attention to an issue" mean?

To "draw attention to an issue" means to highlight or emphasize a particular problem or subject, aiming to make people aware of it and encourage them to consider it more carefully.

How can I "draw attention to an issue" effectively?

To effectively "draw attention to an issue", use clear and compelling language, provide relevant data or evidence, and consider using different media formats to reach a wider audience.

What can I say instead of "draw attention to an issue"?

You can use alternatives like "call attention to a problem", "raise awareness about a matter", or "highlight a problem" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "draw attention to an issue" or "address an issue"?

While "draw attention to an issue" focuses on making the issue known, "address an issue" implies taking action to resolve it. The best choice depends on whether your goal is to raise awareness or to implement solutions.