intermittent attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"intermittent attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe someone's tendency to pay attention only for short periods of time or in an inconsistent manner. Example: Even though Tom was a bright student, his intermittent attention in class often caused him to miss important information and fall behind in his studies.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

He wrote in the magazine recently (available online to subscribers) that when he first encountered Davis's work in the mid-nineties, he paid them only intermittent attention, "as their own intermittency seemed to deserve and desire".

The New Yorker

The administration faces Congressional constraints in paying for international peacekeeping efforts and, the critics say, pays only intermittent attention.

The New York Times

He paid only intermittent attention to the growth of leverage that supported the investment bank's operations.However pointed, these individual criticisms are nevertheless asides.

The Economist

Similarly, growing environmental disasters will be largely ignored, or given the kind of intermittent attention they were accorded at the Kyoto summit, until the refugee movements they generate impact directly on the affluent countries of Europe and North America.

The Guardian

Buffeted by a mutating terrorist threat in Syria and Iraq, an Ebola outbreak that attracts intermittent attention in the West, a failed peace initiative in Israel, and Russian aggression in Ukraine, the Administration can point to few satisfying demonstrations of progress.

The New Yorker

"Lost in Translation" is, like the puzzle it describes, an aesthetic environment that expects intermittent attention; I have read it several times a year for all my adulthood, giving it the same relation to my life that its events had to its author's.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Patients who have labs or images ordered occupy a bed and receive intermittent nursing attention until the results are ready and a physician returns to review them; the physician can then order more tests, perform procedures, or disposition the patient.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

Also damaging was an incomplete control of tuning, intermittent but needing attention.

The New York Times - Arts

The more you embroider the account of your life, the more you crave the intermittent rewards of some attention from your peer group".

The Guardian - Tech

Some engineering researchers have widely focused their attention on intermittent control.

Advances in Difference Equations

Based on the results of this study, is appears that virtually all critically ill patients with acute renal failure and MODS can be treated with intermittent hemodialysis if appropriate attention is paid to hemodynamic and metabolic control.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a project or task that doesn't require constant monitoring, use "intermittent attention" to convey that it needs periodic checks rather than continuous oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "intermittent attention" to imply a total lack of focus. It suggests periodic or irregular focus, not complete disregard. For complete lack of focus, use phrases like "complete neglect" or "total disregard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "intermittent attention" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "intermittent" modifies the noun "attention". Ludwig indicates that it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Encyclopedias

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "intermittent attention" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe focus that is not constant but periodic, as confirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in news and scientific contexts, it carries a neutral tone applicable across different registers. While "intermittent attention" implies a sporadic focus, it shouldn't be mistaken for complete neglect. Alternative expressions, such as "sporadic focus" or "occasional interest", can be used to add nuance. Using "intermittent attention" effectively involves recognizing the need for periodic checks rather than ongoing oversight. By avoiding the misinterpretation of it as total disregard, writers can accurately convey the intended meaning when using the phrase "intermittent attention".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sporadic focus

Emphasizes the occasional and irregular nature of the attention given.

inconsistent focus

Highlights the lack of a steady or reliable attention span.

occasional interest

Focuses on the infrequent nature of the interest shown.

periodic concentration

Suggests attention comes in distinct intervals or periods.

wavering attention

Implies attention that fluctuates and is not consistently maintained.

fleeting focus

Highlights the brief and transient nature of the attention.

irregular awareness

Focuses on the sporadic nature of being conscious or informed.

partial engagement

Suggests a level of involvement that is not complete or continuous.

limited concentration

Emphasizes the restricted capacity or duration of focus.

divided attention

Indicates that attention is spread across multiple things rather than being consistently on one.

FAQs

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

You can use "intermittent attention" to describe something that requires occasional focus, such as, "The project requires only "intermittent attention" after the initial setup".

What's a good alternative for "intermittent attention"?

Alternatives include "sporadic focus", "occasional interest", or "periodic concentration", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "intermittent attention" a formal phrase?

No, "intermittent attention" is a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding vocabulary and sentence structure.

What does "intermittent attention" imply?

"Intermittent attention" implies that focus or awareness is not constant but occurs at intervals. It suggests a pattern of starting and stopping rather than a continuous state.