shift our attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"shift our attention" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe an action of turning one's focus from something else to something new, or to describe a change of focus/emphasis from one thing to another. For example, "Let's shift our attention to developing a more effective marketing campaign."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I would say it's time to shift our attention elsewhere".

The New York Times

We need to move and shift our attention to where these poor people are.

The Guardian

What happens when we shift our attention from creating artifacts to convening and developing publics?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What we really do is shift our attention rapidly from task to task.

The New York Times

When we shift our attention so dramatically, we risk missing important analytical connections and, with them, opportunities for meaningful solutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Every few years, another bad player shows up, and we have to shift our attention to it".

The New York Times

It has, he said, "helped to shift our attention to the histories of ordinary people, and heretofore overlooked groups and topics.

The New York Times

In the first instance, the nature of the deal on offer should encourage us to shift our attention away from discussions of price to questions of value.

The Guardian - Opinion

Finally, we will shift our attention to the contemporary music of Yungchen Lhamo, a Tibetan singer living in exile in New York City.

Columbia University

So it suggests that this type of meditation practice or mindfulness training can really help us learn to shift our attention flexibly.

University of California, Berkeley

We usually make better decisions, his experiments reveal, if we shift our attention away from a mental challenge for a time.

The Telegraph

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "shift our attention" when you want to indicate a deliberate change in focus from one topic or aspect to another. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "shift our attention" simply to introduce a new topic without a clear connection to the previous one. Ensure there's a logical reason for the change in focus to maintain coherence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift our attention" primarily functions as a directive or a statement of intent. It indicates a conscious effort to move focus from one subject to another. Ludwig's examples show its use in signaling transitions in discussions or activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Science

32%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "shift our attention" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that signals a deliberate change in focus. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is versatile, appearing across varied contexts ranging from news media and scientific publications to academic discourse. When writing, use this phrase when clearly signaling a transition or change of topic to maintain coherence, and consider alternatives like "redirect our focus" or "turn our attention" to add variety to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

redirect our focus

Emphasizes a change in the direction of focus, similar to shifting attention.

change our focus

Highlights a complete alteration of the primary subject of attention.

turn our attention

Suggests a rotation of focus, often implying a deliberate choice.

refocus our efforts

Implies re-evaluating and concentrating efforts toward a new objective.

adjust our perspective

Indicates a modification in viewpoint or understanding, influencing attention.

alter our priorities

Highlights a change in the order of importance, directing attention accordingly.

modify our approach

Suggests adapting a strategy or method, leading to a shift in what's noticed.

revise our thinking

Emphasizes altering thought patterns which directly affect what gains our attention.

re-evaluate our strategy

Implies reassessing a plan which necessitates changing what we pay attention to.

pivot our mindset

Suggests a fundamental change in attitude, influencing the direction of focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "shift our attention" to indicate a change of focus, for example: "Let's shift our attention to the next item on the agenda".

What can I say instead of "shift our attention"?

You can use alternatives like "redirect our focus", "change our focus", or "turn our attention" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "shift our attention to" or "shift our attention on"?

"Shift our attention to" is the correct and more common form. "Shift our attention on" is less frequently used and may sound awkward to native English speakers.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "shift our attention"?

It's appropriate when you want to signal a move from one subject, task, or area of interest to another, often implying a strategic or necessary change in focus. For example, "Now that we've completed the analysis, we should shift our attention to developing an action plan."