shift your gaze

USAGE SUMMARY

"shift your gaze" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest to someone that they should look at something else, or to describe the act of moving one's gaze. For example, "As the train approached, she shifted her gaze to the window."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

If your priority is to prevent further victimization, you might want to shift your gaze to the older brother.

The New York Times - Magazine

Shift your gaze from screen to stage, and you'll see what a difference a frame makes and how the same performance registers differently in another medium.

The New York Times

Shift your gaze to the bowlers, and Australia's most damaging pair, Mitchell Johnson and Ryan Harris, are respectively 32 and 34.

The Guardian - Sport

If you can't bear looking straight down past your feet, shift your gaze out or up — the walls are glass, too, as is the ceiling.

The New York Times - Science

But shift your gaze to stage left, to Mr. Camp in the flesh, hunched over his trinket-sized camera, which sits on a decrepit desk in a derelict room.

The New York Times

Shift your gaze from an oversize late-12th-century carved ivory crucifix to an untitled sculpture by the great Joseph Beuys, then take in the spires of the cathedral, artfully framed in a floor-to-ceiling window (Kolumbastrasse 4; 49-221-933-193-0; kolumba.de).

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

And yet when you do focus on the screen, shifting your gaze up and to the right, that tiny half-inch display is surprisingly immersive.

The New York Times

Motion after-effects occur after looking at a moving stimulus for several seconds and then shifting your gaze to a stationary one, which then appears to move in the opposite direction to the first.

The Guardian

Maintain eye contact with the participants, shifting your gaze around the room as necessary to show you're engaging with them and encourage them to engage with you in workshop discussion.

WikiHow

When you shift your attention and gaze to another (out of focus) object, your eyes also naturally change their point of convergence.

TechCrunch

Glance away when you see them shift under your gaze.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In descriptive writing, use "shift your gaze" to create a sense of movement and direct the reader's focus.

Common error

Avoid using "shift your gaze" when a quick look is intended. "Gaze" implies a sustained look, whereas "glance" is a brief look. Use "shift your glance" when describing a quick change in visual focus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "shift your gaze" functions as a directive, often used to guide the attention of the reader or listener. It instructs someone to move their focus from one point to another. According to Ludwig AI, it’s appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "shift your gaze" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for directing attention. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for various writing styles, particularly in descriptive contexts or when guiding a reader's focus. While alternatives like "direct your attention" or "redirect your focus" exist, "shift your gaze" maintains a neutral register and effectively prompts a change in visual or mental focus. When using the term, remember that "gaze" implies more than a fleeting look, so ensure the context warrants a sustained visual focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look elsewhere

A simple and direct way of saying to look at something different.

redirect your vision

This alternative emphasizes the act of changing the direction of sight.

direct your sight

Emphasizes the act of guiding one's vision.

move your line of sight

Describes the physical action of changing where you are looking.

change your focus

This alternative focuses on the mental aspect of shifting attention, rather than just physical sight.

turn your attention

Similar to 'change your focus', but highlights the conscious act of directing one's mind.

re-focus your attention

Highlights the process of adjusting one's mental focus.

transfer your focus

Suggests a complete movement of attention from one thing to another.

avert your eyes

This implies turning away from something, often due to discomfort or avoidance.

shift your perspective

This alternative implies a change in viewpoint, not necessarily visual.

FAQs

How can I use "shift your gaze" in a sentence?

You can use "shift your gaze" to direct someone's attention to a different object or area. For example, "If you shift your gaze to the left, you'll see the monument."

What's a more formal alternative to "shift your gaze"?

A more formal alternative could be "direct your attention" or "redirect your focus" depending on the context. For example, instead of saying "shift your gaze to the chart", you might say "direct your attention to the chart".

What can I say instead of "shift your gaze" when speaking informally?

In informal contexts, you could say "look over there" or "check this out" to direct someone's attention. For example, "Hey, check this out!" might replace "shift your gaze to this interesting detail".

Is it correct to use "shift your gaze" in academic writing?

Yes, it is appropriate to use "shift your gaze" in academic writing, especially in descriptive passages or when analyzing visual elements. However, consider alternatives like "redirect your focus" or "direct your attention" for a more formal tone.