scattered attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"scattered attention" is correct, and it can be used in written English.
For example: "With so much noise around him, it was impossible for him to focus on the task at hand, and his attention was scattered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Select one that means the most and focus your time on it instead of giving scattered attention to all three.

Forbes

Because there is no known clinical problem associated with the inability to either excrete or detect the asparagus odor, the trait has received only scattered attention.

Chemical Senses

According to the scattered attention hypothesis, media multitasking hastens the depletion of the attentional resource, consequently diminishing performance on the primary task.

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

In a world of scattered attention, the occasion had the effect of providing a single international conversation about a subject with universal appeal.

The New York Times

The turning of the economic relationship in video games comes as advertisers in general have looked for new ways to capture the increasingly scattered attention of consumers.

The New York Times

Research is more consistent with the scattered attention hypothesis than the trained attention hypothesis (van der Schuur et al., 2015).

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

It is designed to scatter our attention.... Knowing that the depth of our thought is tied directly to the intensity of our attentiveness, it's hard not to conclude that as we adapt to the intellectual environment of the Net our thinking becomes shallower".

The New Yorker

Fox-like companies, in contrast, are less successful because they scatter their attention and energy and are prone to changing direction.

Forbes

The new technologies also help scatter our attention.

Huffington Post

After all, she lives in Arizona, and there must be tens of thousands of overweight executives in need of attention, scattered all over the landscape between there and New Jersey.

The New York Times

"Before, my attention was scattered," she says.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In academic writing, "scattered attention" provides a concise term for describing the effects of distractions on cognitive processes.

Common error

Avoid using "scattered attention" interchangeably with conditions like ADHD; the phrase describes a state of divided focus, not necessarily a chronic condition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scattered attention" primarily functions as a noun phrase used to describe a state of divided or unfocused attentiveness. Ludwig examples show this phrase used both generally and in academic contexts to explain how attention is distributed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

59%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "scattered attention" is a commonly used phrase that describes a state of divided or unfocused attentiveness, frequently appearing in both scientific and general media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms it is correct and suitable for use in written English. When writing, remember that "scattered attention" refers to the division of focus, not a specific condition. Alternative phrases like "divided attention" or "diffused focus" can provide nuanced variations depending on the intended meaning. Given its widespread usage, employing "scattered attention" appropriately enhances clarity and precision in describing cognitive processes and environmental impacts on concentration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

divided attention

Uses "divided" instead of "scattered", highlighting the splitting of focus among multiple stimuli.

diffused focus

Replaces "attention" with "focus" and "scattered" with "diffused", emphasizing the lack of concentration.

fragmented focus

Employs "fragmented" to suggest a broken or incomplete concentration.

distracted mind

Highlights the state of being pulled away from the current task.

unfocused mind

Shifts the emphasis to the mental state, using "unfocused" to describe the lack of clarity.

wandering mind

Implies a mind that drifts from topic to topic.

fleeting attention

Suggests a brief or momentary focus.

lack of concentration

Focuses on the absence of sustained focus.

inability to focus

Highlights the difficulty or impossibility of concentrating.

short attention span

Indicates a limited period of focus on a single task.

FAQs

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

You can use "scattered attention" to describe a situation where focus is divided among many things. For example: "Due to the constant notifications, she suffered from "scattered attention" during work hours".

What are some alternatives to "scattered attention"?

Alternatives include "diffused focus", "divided attention", or "fragmented focus". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "scattered attention" a negative trait?

Typically, yes. "Scattered attention" often implies reduced efficiency and cognitive control. However, it might be beneficial in brainstorming sessions, where divergent thinking is valued.

What is the difference between "scattered attention" and "distracted attention"?

"Scattered attention" generally refers to the state of having one's focus spread across multiple things, while "distracted attention" suggests that focus is diverted by external stimuli.