hold attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"hold attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the importance of paying attention to something. For example, "I need everyone in the room to hold attention so that I can explain this concept."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

Under the (unlikely) assumption that subjects were not able upon auditory cued stimulus onset to hold attention for about 4 s, one cannot completely reject decreased attentional performance as a cause or at least as a part of the noticed increase in reaction time.

European Journal of Applied Physiology

She did not know how to gain and hold attention.

The New Yorker

The video doesn't contain errors, but it does simplify things greatly to hold attention.

The New York Times

But the members of the younger generation in Tea Alagic's head-scratcher of an interpretation fail to hold attention.

The New York Times

But though Ms. Castaño's fantasies are beautifully executed, they lack the bite to hold attention for long.

The New York Times - Arts

Nevertheless the solo emphasized Mr. Boal's quiet intensity and his ability to hold attention with even a simple walk.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

It holds attention and disturbs.

The Guardian - Music

Fortunately, its separate parts held attention.

The New York Times - Arts

Like the old stories they evoke, they are little allegories of captured and held attention.

The New York Times - Books

He holds attention with a minimum of fuss.

Huffington Post

The first rule of entertainment is capturing attention, and the second rule is holding attention, often accomplished through surprise.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use clear and concise language to "hold attention" and avoid losing your readers in jargon or overly complex sentences.

Common error

Don't assume that simply attracting initial interest is enough. Successfully "holding attention" requires ongoing effort and relevance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hold attention" primarily functions as a verb phrase. Ludwig examples show its use in describing the ability to maintain focus or interest, or the failure to do so. Ludwig AI confirms that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "hold attention" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that describes the act of maintaining focus or interest. Ludwig's analysis of various sources indicates that it's most prevalent in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Several related phrases, such as ""keep attention"" and ""maintain attention"", offer similar meanings. Remember that attracting attention is just the first step; truly "holding attention" requires sustained effort and engaging content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

keep attention

Replaces "hold" with "keep", suggesting a continuous effort to maintain focus.

maintain attention

Substitutes "hold" with "maintain", implying a sustained effort to preserve focus.

capture and hold attention

Adds "capture" to emphasize initially gaining and then sustaining focus.

sustain interest

Shifts the focus from attention to interest, implying a more engaging form of focus.

command attention

Uses "command" to suggest a more forceful and authoritative way of gaining focus.

engage interest

Focuses on engaging the interest of someone or something.

rivet attention

Implies a more intense and captivating form of holding attention.

occupy attention

Uses "occupy" to imply filling someone's attention.

retain focus

Shifts the focus to the act of retaining focus.

draw focus

Uses "draw" to suggest a way of capturing the focus.

FAQs

How can I effectively "hold attention" in a presentation?

Incorporate visuals, tell compelling stories, and engage your audience with interactive elements to "keep attention" and prevent disengagement.

What are some strategies to "hold attention" in writing?

Use vivid language, create suspense, and maintain a clear and logical flow to "maintain attention" and keep readers interested.

What is the difference between "hold attention" and "attract attention"?

"Attracting attention" is about initially gaining someone's focus, while "hold attention" involves sustaining that focus over a period of time. You can "capture attention" initially, but you need engaging content to "hold attention".

What does it mean to say that a speaker "holds attention" well?

It means the speaker is able to "keep the audience engaged" and focused on what they are saying, using techniques like storytelling, humor, and dynamic delivery to "hold attention".