move your attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "move your attention" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used when suggesting that someone shifts their focus or point of concentration from one thing to another. For example, "Please move your attention away from the television and get your homework done."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And then you learn how to deal with the complaints — you move your attention away from the pain and keep on running".

The New Yorker

"It's easier to get the gist of a story than the details," she said, and more efficient to move your attention rather than your eyes.

The New York Times

It's even more efficient to move your attention instead of your eyes, said Prof. Daphne Bavelier of the department of brain and cognitive sciences at the University of Rochester, who caused a stir last year with a study that showed playing video games regularly can improve a person's ability to take in objects quickly.

The New York Times

If you do find yourself beginning to evaluate or control your emotional reaction that is fine - just notice you have done it and then gently move your attention back to observing and accepting your feelings in response to the film".

Behaviour Research and Therapy

Move your attention to your ankle.

WikiHow

Move your attention to your facial muscles.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

The Vipassana technique involves systematically moving your attention around your body, noticing physical sensations but not reacting to them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Begin by moving your attention onto the process of breathing.

Huffington Post

The most common form of inquiry is to ask, either mentally, or simply by moving your attention (noticing) "Who (or What) Am I?" - what is really here, experiencing this moment?

WikiHow

Once you find something that catches your attention move your cursor over the movie or show and hit the A button.

WikiHow

If something catches the crowd's attention, move your gaze to mimic the crowd.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move your attention" when you want to encourage a deliberate shift in focus, whether it's to a different task, sensation, or aspect of a situation.

Common error

While grammatically correct, phrases like "allow your attention to be moved" can sound weaker and less direct than the active voice imperative "move your attention". Choose the active voice for clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move your attention" functions primarily as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to redirect their focus. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from mindfulness exercises to grooming a dog, illustrating its versatility.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move your attention" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an imperative to redirect focus. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usage across diverse contexts, including News & Media, Wiki, and Science. While alternatives like ""shift your focus"" exist, "move your attention" specifically emphasizes a deliberate change in what one is concentrating on. Therefore, use "move your attention" when instructing someone to consciously shift their focus from one point to another.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shift your focus

Replaces "attention" with "focus", offering a slightly more general term for concentration.

redirect your awareness

Substitutes "attention" with "awareness", highlighting a broader perception shift.

turn your mind to

Uses "turn your mind to" to convey a mental redirection towards something specific.

focus your thoughts on

Emphasizes the cognitive aspect of directing one's concentration.

concentrate on

A more concise way of saying to give all your attention to something.

direct your gaze

Specifically refers to shifting visual attention.

re-orient your perspective

Suggests a change in viewpoint or understanding.

turn your ear to

Implies listening attentively, shifting auditory attention.

transfer your interest to

Suggests a deliberate change in what you are interested in.

draw your attention to

Instead of an instruction, this suggests something else is causing the shift in attention.

FAQs

How can I use "move your attention" in a sentence?

You can use "move your attention" to direct someone's focus, such as in the sentence, "Move your attention to the feeling of your breath entering your body."

What are some alternatives to saying "move your attention"?

Alternatives include "shift your focus", "redirect your awareness", or "turn your mind to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "shift your attention" or "move your attention"?

Both "move your attention" and "shift your attention" are correct and largely interchangeable. The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey; "move" implies a physical redirection, while "shift" suggests a more subtle change in focus.

What's the difference between "move your attention" and "pay attention"?

"Move your attention" implies redirecting focus from one thing to another, while "pay attention" generally means to focus on something from the start or to give something your consideration.