restore attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "restore attention" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of refocusing or bringing someone's focus back to a particular subject or task. Example: "After the distraction, it took a few minutes to restore attention to the main topic of discussion."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Walk away from it and only restore attention when the puppy is behaving properly[2].

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He broadened the orchestra's repertory, he said, and restored attention to neglected areas like the "Brandenburg" Concertos of Bach.

The New York Times - Arts

Originally described in the late 1980s, attention restoration theory holds that many of the benefits of being in nature are related to its ability to rest and restore "directed attention" (focus and concentration) while gently engaging "involuntary attention" (a more relaxed state open to passing stimuli).

Environmental Health Perspectives

But he also forecast that some of the data to be released this week could restore market attention to the economy in the United States.

The New York Times

Somehow, these good old-fashioned values and institutions are going to arrest out-of wedlock birthrates, the breakdown of "the family unit," and restore prudent attention to "long-term considerations" rather than "immediate... political payoffs".

Huffington Post

The act forming the NEA and the NEH was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, in response to a movement to restore due attention and emphasis to the arts in an age driven by scientific innovation and exploration ― an imbalance that hasn't gone away, as universities today focus on STEM and slash humanities funding.

Huffington Post

What this means, hopefully, is that in the rush to rejuvenate a bankrupt city, many of its stately buildings will be restored with care and attention to detail, rather than the bland bulk refits that have characterized many of the hasty warehouse conversions of major western cities. "In an ideal world I get involved as soon as a developer decides to start work on the building," McKay explained.

The Guardian

Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 169 182] attention restoration theory, and support the idea that restorative environments help maintain and restore the capacity to direct attention.

Journal of Environmental Psychology

"They get all the attention to restore that sense of childhood where they are the most special thing in the world.

The New York Times

But the sight of machine civilisation had no effect on my wilderness perceptions, any more than looking at photographs of the wilderness in a busy office can restore the quality of attention that you have when inside it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Major crime has declined in the area, Richard Dormer, the county police commissioner, said, but he added that "these recent high-profile and serious incidents require specialized attention" to restore a sense of security in the community and to "reduce the fear factor".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "restore attention", consider the context. It often implies that attention was previously lost or diverted and now needs to be actively brought back to the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "restore attention" when simpler terms like "focus" or "pay attention" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or complex.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "restore attention" functions as a verb phrase where 'restore' acts as a transitive verb requiring a direct object ('attention'). It suggests an action to bring back or reinstate focus. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

32%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "restore attention" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, that describes the act of regaining focus after it has been lost. While relatively rare in overall usage, it appears across varied contexts including news, science and how-to guides. The most frequent use of "restore attention" is to either provide direction or explain how focus can be brought back to the initial subject. When considering the appropriate usage of this term, remember that it implies a previous loss of focus and, therefore, should be used when the situation is more complex than just paying attention. Alternatives such as "regain focus" or "recapture focus" can provide similar meaning with different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regain focus

Swaps "restore" for "regain" while keeping a focus metaphor.

revive focus

Focus changes to a slightly more intense verb.

recapture focus

Uses 'recapture' to emphasize bringing back lost focus.

revitalize focus

Conveys a sense of renewal and energy being brought back to focus.

renew concentration

Replaces attention with a synonym, concentration, and restore with renew.

re-establish focus

Adds a sense of formality and deliberate action.

recover concentration

Uses a synonymous verb to restore and noun to attention.

reinstate concentration

Conveys a stronger sense of returning to a previous state of concentration.

redirect attention

Highlights the act of shifting focus rather than recovering it.

bring back focus

Uses a more informal and direct way to express restoring attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "restore attention" to describe the act of bringing focus back to something after a distraction. For example: "The speaker paused to allow the audience to "restore attention" after the brief interruption".

What are some alternatives to "restore attention"?

Some alternatives to "restore attention" include "regain focus", "recapture focus", or "renew concentration". The best choice depends on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "restore attention to" or "restore attention on"?

"Restore attention to" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. For example: "The teacher tried to "restore attention" to the lesson."

What is the difference between "restore attention" and "pay attention"?

"Pay attention" means to focus on something initially, while "restore attention" implies that focus was lost and is being actively brought back. Therefore, "pay attention" is used for the beginning and "restore attention" when something diverted your focus.