lose attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to talk about someone's inability to focus on a task, either due to distraction or disinterest. For example, "He started to lose attention during the lecture, and began daydreaming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

We prepared for a noisy group who would lose attention.

The New York Times

I get my best work done when I wander or linger on stations I normally loathe, because I'm not afraid to lose attention.

The New York Times

He painted a picture of a system rooted in the "pseudoscience" of broadcasting, analysing and applying lessons from digital information about audience behaviour – down to the point, to a split second, at which test groups switch off, or lose attention.

The Guardian

It has been reported that users of software will lose attention and want to perform other tasks if forced to wait for more than ten seconds [32].

Chemistry Central Journal

Ten minutes of percussion on a normal system and people will lose attention, they will be waiting for the next drop.

Vice

"I believe this was the case with Hamilton," says Hans, "but mistakes are made when people working with the animals on a daily basis become blasé and lose attention".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If Mr. Obama loses, attention will shift to Mrs. Clinton almost immediately.

The New York Times

Ms. Piazza developed a strategy of flattering an actor until she sensed that the handler had lost attention.

The New York Times

"He's indefatigable in terms of being a hard worker, putting in incredible hours, focusing and never losing attention," Mr. Mutterperl says.

The New York Times

If he loses, attention will immediately turn to which Democrat might be able to pick up the pieces from the deep disappointment of his one term.

The New York Times

Then suddenly he's back in the spotlight, or what survives of him is, with scholars scrambling to make up for lost attention and time.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the consequences of an action, use "lose attention" to clearly convey the idea that someone's focus has diminished, potentially leading to negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using "loose attention" instead of "lose attention". "Loose" means not firmly fixed, while "lose" means to be deprived of or cease to have. The correct phrase is "lose attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose attention" functions as a verb phrase, where "lose" is the verb and "attention" is the noun acting as the direct object. It describes the act of ceasing to focus on something. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose attention" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a decline in focus. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it appears across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific articles, and wiki pages. When using this phrase, remember to avoid the common error of writing "loose attention". Alternatives like "become distracted", "drift off", and "zone out" can provide nuanced ways to express a similar idea. The phrase serves to simply communicate one isn't able to concentrate on a particular task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become inattentive

This alternative highlights the lack of attentiveness.

become distracted

This alternative focuses on the act of being drawn away from the current focus.

stop concentrating

This directly refers to the cessation of focused thought.

drift off

This suggests a gradual and unintentional loss of focus.

zone out

This implies a state of detachment from one's surroundings.

get sidetracked

This suggests attention diverted to another topic

daydream

This refers to losing focus and engaging in pleasant fantasies.

space out

This indicates a temporary loss of awareness or mental presence.

become oblivious

Implies the person losing attention is completely unaware of the situation around them

fall asleep

This implies a complete loss of attention due to sleepiness.

FAQs

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

You can use "lose attention" to describe someone's inability to focus. For example: "The students started to "lose attention" during the long lecture."

What are some alternatives to "lose attention"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "become distracted", "drift off", or "zone out" instead of "lose attention".

Is it correct to say "loose attention" instead of "lose attention"?

No, it is incorrect to say "loose attention". The correct phrase is "lose attention", as "lose" is the verb meaning to be deprived of something.

What does it mean when someone is said to "lose attention"?

When someone "loses attention", it means they are no longer able to focus on something, often due to boredom, distraction, or fatigue.