inhibit attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inhibit attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing factors or behaviors that reduce or block someone's ability to focus or pay attention. Example: "The constant noise from the construction site can inhibit attention during study sessions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

At 10 years of age, the ability to inhibit attention to irrelevant stimuli and motor responses is fairly complete, being usually mastered at the age of 12 (Romine and Reynolds 2005).

Psicologia: Reflexão e Crítica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

One of the posited reasons for the slower performance when task-switching occurs is the cognitive effort required in reconfiguring the taskset which can involve both shifting attention to the new task while also inhibiting attention to a previous task [ 30].

BMC Health Services Research

Nokia held a press event to announce its new tablet in Abu Dhabi, which is likely to inhibit the attention the product receives.

The New York Times

[politician] Interviewees across the political spectrum also agreed that issue wear-out was inhibiting the attention given to SHS as a relevant and urgent issue.

BMC Public Health

Moreover, the effect of mood - although weak - also supports the hypothesis that sadness inhibits visuospatial attention processing in the right hemisphere and therefore favours left visual field impairment [ 3].

BMC Psychiatry

The PFC uses working memory to guide behavior and attention, inhibiting inappropriate responses and sustaining attention over long delays, particularly under conditions of interference from distractors [ 2, 3].

Behavioral and Brain Functions

In order to select task-relevant information, it is necessary to maintain goal-relevant attention and inhibit sensitivity to sensory stimuli that would otherwise capture attention.

Plosone

When the retina sends an image to the visual cortex, neighboring neurons in the cortex clamor for attention; some inhibit and some enhance each other.

Science Magazine

Here, the origins of these cognitive effects were explored using a functional magnetic resonance imaging task that systematically varied demands to shift attention and inhibit irrelevant information across task blocks.

Cerebral Cortex

Both of these illusions are very robust in their basic form: it is impossible by conscious effort or attention to inhibit or change the direction, speed and vividness with which the stationary stimuli appear to move (Palmer 1992).

Cerebral Cortex

The directional selectivity of cells inhibited during inward attention epoch (Fig. 8a, blue histogram) was slightly higher than that of excited cells.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing the impact of external stimuli on cognitive function, use "inhibit attention" to specifically denote the blocking or reducing of focus. For example: "Excessive screen time can "inhibit attention" spans in children".

Common error

While grammatically sound, using "inhibit attention" in everyday conversation may sound overly formal. Opt for more natural alternatives like "distract" or "reduce focus" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inhibit attention" functions as a verb phrase + noun, where "inhibit" acts as a transitive verb taking "attention" as its direct object. It describes the action of hindering or suppressing attentiveness. As Ludwig AI explains, this expression is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

78%

News & Media

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "inhibit attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in scientific and technical contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing factors that reduce or block the ability to focus. While it may sound overly formal in casual conversation, alternative phrases like "distract" or "reduce focus" can be used. It's important to use "inhibit attention" when precision is required, especially when analyzing the impact of external stimuli on cognitive function. This expression is most common in Science, News & Media, and Formal & Business domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

impair focus

This indicates a weakening or damaging effect on the ability to concentrate, suggesting a negative impact on attentiveness.

block attentiveness

This alternative directly states that the ability to pay attention is obstructed or prevented.

suppress focus

This alternative suggests a forceful holding back of focus, implying a more active intervention than simply inhibiting.

hinder concentration

This phrase indicates that something is making it difficult to concentrate or pay attention.

reduce focus

This phrase implies a lessening of concentration, without necessarily suggesting a complete blockage or suppression.

weaken attentiveness

This suggests a reduction in the strength or intensity of one's ability to pay attention.

diminish awareness

This suggests a gradual fading or reduction in the level of conscious perception and attention.

curtail focus

This implies limiting or restricting the extent of one's focus or concentration.

attenuate attention

This implies a lessening or weakening of attention, often used in technical or scientific contexts.

constrain awareness

This suggests that awareness is being limited or restricted by some factor or influence.

FAQs

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

You can use "inhibit attention" to describe factors that reduce focus, such as: "The loud music might "inhibit attention" during the exam".

What are some alternatives to "inhibit attention"?

Consider using alternatives such as "impair focus", "suppress focus", or "reduce focus", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "hinder attention" instead of "inhibit attention"?

While "hinder attention" is understandable, "inhibit attention" is more precise when referring to the blocking or reducing of attentional capacity. "Hinder concentration" might be a better alternative.

What's the difference between "distract attention" and "inhibit attention"?

"Distract attention" implies diverting focus, while "inhibit attention" suggests a blocking or suppression of focus. For example, a shiny object might "distract attention", while fatigue might "inhibit attention".