earn attention

USAGE SUMMARY

'earn attention' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has gained attention through their achievements. For example: Through years of hard work, the company has earned the attention of investors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Now, however, the issue is starting to earn attention.

The New York Times

I see it as brands showing that good stories earn attention.

The Guardian

You hear a lot of reasons why kids are drawn to sports — a sense of belonging, the sheer love of the game, a chance to earn attention, all those highly touted social benefits.

The New York Times - Sports

After all, it's always easier to buy eyeballs, but much harder to earn attention -- especially if you do not target the right user moments.

Huffington Post

Instead of buying or begging your way in, Scott says anybody can earn attention by "publishing their way in" using the tools of social media such as, blogs, podcasts, online news releases, online video, viral marketing, and online media.

Wikipedia

And as so many of his colleagues -- Michele Bachmann and Allen West come immediately to mind -- earn attention by feeding the "What did he/she just say?" outrage machine, Ryan keeps to his quiet, wonky knitting.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

More recently, he earned attention for interviews that could have doubled as performance art.

The New York Times - Sports

During the past two decades, Ms. Bloom's tense installation pieces have earned attention and respect internationally.

The New York Times

Mr. Buketoff also earned attention for restoring folk song texts to Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture".

The New York Times - Arts

Later, she earned attention (not always favorable) singing at company functions with a band composed of colleagues.

The New York Times

The scrimmage earned attention on social media, coverage from traditional print media as well as bloggers, and even a chiding tweet from Phil Jackson.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "earn attention" when you want to emphasize that the attention was a result of effort, quality, or merit, rather than being bought or demanded.

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between "earn attention", which implies deserving notice through actions or qualities, and "seek attention", which can suggest actively trying to gain notice, sometimes regardless of merit.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earn attention" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the process of gaining recognition or notice through specific actions or qualities. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "earn attention" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that describes gaining recognition through merit and effort. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is best used to emphasize the deserving nature of the attention. While not overly common, appearing mostly in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, this phrase is valuable for conveying the idea that attention was not simply given, but rather worked for. When using this phrase, consider the subtle differences between it and similar phrases like "gain attention" or "seek attention" to ensure you are accurately conveying your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

garner recognition

Focuses on achieving formal acknowledgement or praise.

attract interest

Emphasizes drawing curiosity or engagement.

gain prominence

Highlights achieving a distinguished position or status.

secure notice

Suggests successfully obtaining awareness or observation.

capture public interest

Specifically refers to attracting widespread awareness.

win acclaim

Implies earning praise or approval for achievements.

command respect

Highlights earning admiration and deference.

become well-known

Focuses on achieving widespread familiarity.

draw awareness

Focuses on the act of making something known.

cultivate visibility

Highlights the active process of increasing exposure.

FAQs

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

You can use "earn attention" to describe how someone or something has gained recognition or notice through their actions, qualities, or achievements. For example, "The company "earned attention" through its innovative products."

What's a more formal way to say "earn attention"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "garner recognition" or "attract interest", which convey a similar meaning with a more sophisticated vocabulary.

Is it better to "earn attention" or "gain attention"?

While both phrases are valid, "earn attention" often implies that the attention was deserved or resulted from positive actions. "Gain attention" is more neutral and doesn't necessarily suggest merit.

What are some common synonyms for "earn attention"?

Synonyms for "earn attention" include "win acclaim", "secure notice", and "command respect", each offering a slightly different nuance in terms of the type and degree of attention received.