shift attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"shift attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to the act of directing one's focus from one thing to another. For example, "The teacher shifted attention from math to science when it was time for the lesson to change."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Executive function (EF) was measured using the "Trail Making" test (Reitan, 1986), which measures 'set-shifting', or the ability to shift attention between one task to another.

Consciousness and Cognition

Her anecdotes shift attention from herself.

The Guardian - Books

Finally, they shift attention away from the scandal to another issue.

The Guardian

Introducing a relative-poverty line would help shift attention to this larger problem of social exclusion.

The New Yorker

It seeks to shift attention from Angkor and the Killing Fields to contemporary Cambodian art.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr Peña has helped to shift attention to Mexico's perky economy rather than its gruesome violence.

The Economist

Mr. Romney's Republican allies in Michigan are seeking to shift attention to other topics.

The New York Times

As much as Mr. Blair wants to shift attention to domestic policy, that debate needs to proceed.

The New York Times

Perhaps the arrival of Born to Die will silence the controversy and shift attention to the songs.

The Guardian - Music

They accused Democrats of politicizing the incident to shift attention from their internal party struggles over health care legislation.

The New York Times

Mr. Romney used the television interviews on Friday to try to shift attention back to the economy.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift attention" when you want to emphasize a deliberate change in focus, either by yourself or others. For example, "The speaker skillfully shifted attention from the scandal to the company's future plans."

Common error

Avoid using "shift attention" when a gradual change is intended. Instead, consider "evolve the focus" or "expand the scope."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift attention" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used transitively to describe the act of redirecting focus from one subject or issue to another. Ludwig indicates its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shift attention" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the act of redirecting focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, its grammatically sound and widely used across different registers. The primary contexts for this phrase are news, science, and formal business settings. Alternatives like "redirect focus" or "change focus" can provide subtle differences in meaning. When writing, be mindful of the intended nuance and avoid using it when a gradual change is intended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

change focus

A more straightforward way of expressing a change in what is being concentrated on.

turn attention

A simple and direct alternative for directing focus.

redirect focus

Implies a deliberate change of direction for attention.

switch focus

Suggests a quick change in attention.

divert attention

Suggests drawing attention away from something, often to something else.

transfer attention

Implies moving attention from one subject to another.

re-focus

Implies a return to a previous focus after a period of distraction.

reorient focus

Suggests a significant change in the direction of attention.

adjust focus

Implies a slight modification or refinement in the current focus.

alter focus

A more formal way to indicate a change in focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift attention" to describe a change in focus, like: "The politician tried to "divert attention" from the scandal by talking about the economy".

What are some alternatives to "shift attention"?

Alternatives include "redirect focus", "change focus", or "divert attention", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "shift attention to" or "shift attention towards"?

"Shift attention to" and "shift attention towards" are both correct, but "shift attention to" is generally more common and direct. "Shift attention towards" can imply a more gradual or tentative shift.

What's the difference between "shift attention" and "pay attention"?

"Shift attention" implies a change in focus, while "pay attention" simply means to focus on something. For example, you might "pay attention" in class, but "shift attention" from one task to another.