please pay your attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please pay your attention" is not correct in standard English.
A more appropriate expression would be "please pay attention." Example: "During the presentation, please pay attention to the key points being discussed."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

The full reviews are appended below for your reference, but please pay particular attention to the following points: 1) Reviewers 1 and 2 have some remaining questions concerning the underlying biology of the system.

eLife

All right, class, teacher has had a bad night and is very grumpy, so please pay attention and open your Joe Orton to the following passage: In theory there is no subject which could not be treated farcically...

The New Yorker

Please pay particular attention to these: 1) A key aspect of your paper is your claim that STM expression is mechanosensitive.

eLife

"Pay attention, please pay attention," he implored the jury.

The New York Times

Especially: 1) Please pay particular attention to the issues raised by reviewer 1, regarding the quantification of your markers.

eLife

Please pay very close attention to your symptoms and also understand that this is simply a video game and all symptoms that have occurred while playing or from lack of playing are not a product of any game.

WikiHow

If you go, please pay special attention to the confessionals.

The New York Times

Due to recent electroconvulsive therapy, please pay close attention to the following options.

The New York Times - Books

Please pay special attention to the fact that he really has a problem with the parrot.

Vice

Please, pay no attention to the man behind the curtain curtain behind the man.

Huffington Post

Please, pay no attention whatsoever to that -- it's all the Democrats' fault for refusing to stop bringing up what we're actually legislatively trying to do!" Sigh.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the correct phrase "please pay attention" instead of "please pay your attention". It is a more direct and grammatically standard way to ask someone to focus.

Common error

Avoid including the possessive pronoun "your" in the phrase. Saying "please pay attention" is the standard and grammatically correct form. The inclusion of "your" makes the phrase sound awkward and non-idiomatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please pay your attention" is an incorrect attempt to request someone to focus. Standard English uses the imperative form "please pay attention" to direct someone's focus, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "please pay your attention" is grammatically incorrect. The correct and widely accepted form is "please pay attention". As confirmed by Ludwig, the possessive pronoun "your" should be omitted. While the intent is to politely request someone's focus, the incorrect grammar undermines the message. It's advisable to use the standard form in both formal and informal settings to ensure clear and effective communication. Some alternatives include "kindly pay attention" or simply "please focus".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please pay attention

Omits the possessive pronoun 'your', resulting in the grammatically correct and standard form.

Kindly pay attention

Replaces "please" with "kindly" for a slightly more formal tone.

Please focus

Uses the verb "focus" instead of "pay attention", offering a more direct instruction.

Please concentrate

Similar to "focus", but may imply a need for deeper mental engagement.

Please be attentive

Replaces "pay attention" with an adjective, changing the structure slightly.

Please listen carefully

Specifies the mode of attention (listening) and adds emphasis with "carefully".

I'd like your attention

Shifts from a direct command to a polite request.

May I have your attention, please?

A more formal and polite way to request someone's attention.

Your attention, please

A very concise and formal way to ask for attention, often used in announcements.

Could you please give me your attention

This is a polite request, emphasizing asking before giving

FAQs

What is the correct way to say "please pay your attention"?

The correct way to phrase this request is to say "please pay attention". Dropping the possessive pronoun "your" makes the sentence grammatically sound and idiomatic.

Is "please pay your attention" grammatically correct?

No, "please pay your attention" is not grammatically correct. The standard and accepted form is "please pay attention".

What does "please pay attention" mean?

"Please pay attention" is a polite way of asking someone to focus, listen carefully, or be mindful of what is being said or shown.

Are there more formal alternatives to "please pay attention"?

Yes, more formal alternatives include "may I have your attention, please?" or "your attention, please". These options are suitable for formal settings or when addressing a large group.