pays attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pays attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to someone who is actively focusing or being mindful of something. Example: "In order to succeed in this class, it is essential that each student pays attention during lectures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Still, Jackson pays attention.

The New York Times - Sports

He pays attention.

The New York Times

"Unfortunately, not everybody pays attention".

The New York Times

He pays attention to details".

The New York Times - Magazine

Let's hope she pays attention.

The Economist

Naturally, nobody pays attention.

The New York Times

Oracle: Nobody ever pays attention!

The New Yorker

Everyone pays attention".

The Guardian

He barely pays attention.

The Washington Post

She pays attention to detail.

The Guardian - Opinion

And no one pays attention.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pays attention" to indicate someone is actively focusing on something. For instance, "A good student always "pays attention" in class".

Common error

Avoid using "payed attention". The correct form is "pays attention". "Payed" is the past tense of "to pay" (money), not "to pay attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pays attention" primarily functions as a verb phrase, indicating an action of focusing one's mental effort on something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. Examples show its use in describing people who are observant or careful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pays attention" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe someone who is actively focusing or being observant. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage across various contexts. It's found most frequently in News & Media, followed by Academia and Wiki sources, indicating its versatility. When writing, remember that "pays attention" is the correct form, not "payed attention". Alternatives like "is attentive" or "takes notice of" can provide subtle differences in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is attentive

Emphasizes a general state of being observant and responsive.

keeps an eye on

Suggests monitoring something closely for potential issues.

takes notice of

Highlights the act of recognizing or becoming aware of something.

is mindful of

Implies a conscious awareness and consideration of something.

gives heed to

Suggests paying careful attention and following advice or instructions.

focuses on

Highlights concentrating one's attention on a particular thing.

is observant of

Emphasizes the skill of noticing details and subtle cues.

remains vigilant

Implies a state of constant watchfulness and readiness.

bears in mind

Suggests remembering and considering something important.

heeds

Simple and direct, meaning to pay attention to and consider.

FAQs

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

You can use "pays attention" to describe someone who is actively listening or observing. For example, "She "pays attention" to every detail during the presentation."

What can I say instead of "pays attention"?

You can use alternatives like "is attentive", "takes notice of", or "focuses on" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "payed attention"?

No, "payed attention" is incorrect in this context. The correct phrase is "pays attention", using "pays" as the third-person singular present tense of "to pay attention", which means to give one's focus or consideration to something.

What's the difference between "pays attention" and "is aware of"?

"Pays attention" implies an active and focused effort to observe or listen, while "is aware of" suggests a more general knowledge or consciousness of something. Someone who "pays attention" is actively processing information, whereas someone who "is aware of" simply knows about it.