negative attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"negative attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to attention that is critical, unkind, or unwanted. For example: "After receiving too much negative attention, she decided to stay home instead of going to the party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fear of drawing negative attention.

Independent

I can cope with negative attention.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Has there been some negative attention to the signing?

The Guardian - Sport

"In fact they gain nothing but negative attention".

The Guardian - Tech

All this negative attention is clearly getting to him.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I do get a lot of negative attention there though.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Britney loyalists say all the negative attention has been unfair.

The New York Times

I got a lot of negative attention from my peers.

The Guardian

I ask Fox how this negative attention has impacted her.

The Guardian - Sport

So why all of the negative attention on black women?

The New York Times

"There's a lot of negative attention focused on sports now," Mr. Arnold said.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "negative attention", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. Alternatives like "unwanted scrutiny" or "adverse publicity" can provide a more precise meaning.

Common error

While "negative attention" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in formal writing. Opt for more precise and professional terms like "unfavorable publicity" or "critical scrutiny" to maintain a sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "negative attention" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "negative" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "attention". It describes the quality of the attention being received. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

18%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "negative attention" is a commonly used phrase to describe situations where someone or something is receiving criticism or unwanted focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a noun phrase and is used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While grammatically correct, consider using more precise alternatives like "unfavorable attention" or "adverse attention" in formal writing to maintain a sophisticated tone. Avoiding situations that attract this kind of attention is generally advisable, as it often indicates problems or undesirable circumstances. The phrase's versatility makes it a valuable tool for expressing various forms of unwelcome notice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfavorable attention

Replaces "negative" with "unfavorable", maintaining the core meaning of unwelcome attention.

adverse attention

Substitutes "negative" with "adverse", indicating attention that is harmful or unfavorable.

negative publicity

Direct synonym focusing on public image.

unwanted scrutiny

Replaces "attention" with "scrutiny", emphasizing close and critical observation that is not desired.

unwelcome focus

Emphasizes the unwelcomed nature of the attention received.

bad publicity

Focuses on the public aspect of negative attention, implying damage to reputation.

undesirable spotlight

Highlights the prominence and undesirability of the attention.

public criticism

Highlights the critical aspect of the attention, specifically in a public context.

harmful attention

Highlights the damaging aspect of the attention.

detrimental focus

The attention has a negative effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "negative attention" to describe situations where someone or something is receiving criticism or unwelcome focus. For example, "The company received a lot of negative attention after the scandal".

What's a good alternative to "negative attention"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "unfavorable attention", "adverse attention", or "bad publicity".

Is it better to avoid "negative attention"?

Generally, yes. "Negative attention" often indicates problems or undesirable situations. Actively working to avoid situations that would generate "unfavorable attention" is generally a good strategy.

What causes "negative attention"?

"Negative attention" can arise from various sources, including mistakes, scandals, controversial actions, or simply being in the public eye. Anything that draws "unwelcome focus" can be a cause.