retain attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"retain attention" is a valid phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the idea of keeping someone's interest or focus on something. For example, "The speaker expertly used humor throughout the presentation in order to retain attention from the audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Computers & Education

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

"She cannot retain attention.

The New York Times - Magazine

I like big, fat books for the beach, enthralling enough to retain attention even against the warring attractions of sunlight on water and drowsy, sand-dry heat.

The Guardian - Books

One of Strauss's most child-friendly works, it still couldn't retain attention at the end of a long concert with no break.

The New York Times - Arts

The results provide evidence that such a display design can attract and retain attention in such a way that the acquisition of knowledge (i.e. the comprehension of the presented information) is effectively facilitated.

Computers & Education

If you recognize that Millennials are the largest segment of consumers and employees, then we better figure out how to capture and retain attention.

Forbes

By approaching fleeting content with the right strategy and attitude, you can attract and retain attention within just a few seconds -- bringing high-quality leads to your business and website.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The adult literature indicates that visual representations are beneficial for conveying probability to those with low literacy and numeracy skills [ 29, 41] and for retaining attention [ 41].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This finding is supported by evidence that graphical formats are optimal for conveying probability information to people with low literacy or numerical skills [ 29, 30] and for retaining attention [ 30].

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

This approach was seen as having the added advantage of protecting against vertical ART programme dominance and retaining attention on the management of under-diagnosed and under-treated priority diseases, including those that are HIV-related, such as tuberculosis, and other illnesses, such as asthma [ 5, 17].

BMC Health Services Research

To catch and retain our attention, it has to go by quickly.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Voice modulation can also be employed to highlight the key points in the presentation and retain the attention of the audience.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, use active voice and engaging content to "retain attention". This helps readers stay focused and interested in the subject matter.

Common error

Avoid using dull or passive writing. It is essential to create dynamic content to effectively "retain attention".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retain attention" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun, indicating the act of holding or keeping someone's focus. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and used in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "retain attention" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe the act of keeping someone focused or interested. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is valid and finds application across various domains, particularly in News & Media, Science and Formal & Business settings. While not extremely common, "retain attention" is a useful phrase for describing efforts to maintain focus, and can be enhanced through active voice and engaging content. Alternatives include "maintain interest" and "keep someone engaged".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hold someone's focus

Focuses more on the act of 'holding' someone's focus, implying a degree of effort or control.

keep someone engaged

Emphasizes the active involvement of the person whose attention is being retained.

maintain interest

Highlights the aspect of sustaining interest over time.

preserve focus

Stresses the act of preserving the existing focus.

sustain attentiveness

A more formal way to describe maintaining attention, emphasizing the state of being attentive.

capture and hold attention

Includes capturing attention initially, adding an extra layer of meaning beyond just retaining it.

avoid losing focus

Focuses on the negative aspect of preventing loss of focus rather than actively retaining it.

keep someone's eyes glued

A more figurative expression suggesting intense focus.

draw and maintain interest

Similar to 'capture and hold attention' but uses 'draw' instead of 'capture'.

prevent distraction

Emphasizes the act of stopping distractions rather than active focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "retain attention" to describe efforts to keep someone focused, such as "The speaker used humor to retain attention throughout the presentation."

What are some alternatives to saying "retain attention"?

Alternatives include "maintain interest", "hold someone's focus", or "keep someone engaged", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "retain attention" or "maintain attention"?

Both "retain attention" and "maintain attention" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. "Retain" implies keeping something already present, while "maintain" implies continuing something.

How does active voice help to "retain attention"?

Active voice makes your writing more direct and engaging, making it easier for the reader to follow and "keep someone engaged". This, in turn, helps to "retain attention" more effectively.