secure attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"secure attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to attract or gain attention in a clear and effective manner. Example: The marketing team designed a bold and eye-catching advertisement to secure the attention of potential customers.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But none of these "impossible or ridiculous premises" are true and it is time, the writer declared, "to secure attention to the real business before us".

The New York Times

Those behind the campaign plan to secure attention for the winning track almost exclusively through viral publicity, such as live footage of the bands posted on YouTube and promotion through the Last.fm Facebook group.

The Guardian - Music

Doctors had already identified a Munchausen syndrome, which referred to patients who feign illness or harm themselves in order to secure attention and sympathy — unlike malingerers, whose fakery is motivated by material gain (receiving a disability check, staying home from work).

The New Yorker

Doctors had already identified a Munchausen syndrome, which referred to patients who feign illness or harm themselves in order to secure attention and sympathy unlike malingerers, whose fakery is motivated by material gain (receiving a disability check, staying home from work).

The New Yorker

Alternatively, being labeled "disabled" is a way for parents to secure attention to the child's particular ways of learning and functioning.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Did that help secure the attention of the minister?

The Guardian

No effort has been spared to secure your attention, whoever and wherever you are.

The New York Times

The kidnappers were no doubt eager to secure media attention to embarrass the Musharraf government.

The New York Times

In exchange, they would secure the attention of 22nd-century readers.

The New York Times

Second, Jews are involved, and this can usually secure the attention of those who, for one reason or another, are for or against them.

The New Yorker

A nightmarish sequence that wouldn't look out of place in a David Lynch film is used to secure our attention and remind us of the horror of flu.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "secure attention" when you want to convey a deliberate and effective effort to gain notice for something important. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "secure attention" is versatile, avoid it in very casual conversation. Alternatives like "get noticed" or "attract notice" might be more suitable for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

Secure attention functions as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the act of obtaining or guaranteeing someone's focus. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It highlights a direct action taken to gain notice, as demonstrated in the example, 'Those behind the campaign plan to secure attention for the winning track almost exclusively through viral publicity'.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

30%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "secure attention" is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, as affirmed by Ludwig. It means to effectively gain notice, often with a specific purpose. While versatile, it leans towards a neutral to professional register, making it suitable for news, business, and academic environments. Related phrases include "garner attention" and "attract notice", offering similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When writing, use "secure attention" to describe deliberate efforts to gain focus, but consider more informal alternatives for casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

garner attention

Emphasizes collecting attention from various sources.

attract notice

Focuses on the act of drawing attention passively.

capture interest

Highlights seizing someone's interest or curiosity.

draw attention

Similar to "attract notice" but suggests a more deliberate act.

gain recognition

Implies receiving acknowledgment or praise.

command attention

Indicates a forceful or authoritative way of getting noticed.

elicit attention

Suggests drawing attention out from something or someone.

get noticed

A more informal way of saying "secure attention".

become prominent

Emphasizes achieving a high profile or standing out.

win attention

Indicates that attention is earned through effort or achievement.

FAQs

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

You can use "secure attention" to describe actions taken to gain notice, as in, "The company launched a viral campaign to "secure attention" for its new product".

What are some alternatives to "secure attention"?

Alternatives include "garner attention", "attract notice", or "capture interest", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "secure attention" formal or informal?

"Secure attention" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally perceived as more appropriate for professional or academic writing than very casual conversation. Consider alternatives for extremely informal settings.

What's the difference between "secure attention" and "draw attention"?

"Secure attention" implies a more active and deliberate effort to gain notice, while "draw attention" suggests something is naturally attracting notice without necessarily intentional action.