solicit attention

USAGE SUMMARY

'solicit attention' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to say that someone is seeking or trying to draw attention to something or someone, usually in an intentional way. For example, "The singer was soliciting attention with his outrageous outfit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some of the men solicit attention; others seem determined to avoid it.

The New York Times

Chieko's brazen attempts to solicit attention result, again and again, in humiliation, and Ms. Kikuchi's performance is an unnerving blend of sexual provocation, timidity and sheer rage.

The New York Times

see also: vaguebooking – an irritatingly vague Facebook status used to solicit attention Vevo – music video hosting service, the online MTV, if you will.

The Guardian - Tech

And so we come to what looks to be the main problem for Patook: convincing its — likely — typically shy target demographic to really put itself out there and actively solicit attention from strangers within such a blatant "friend-making" context.

TechCrunch

These women have no need to be loud, to display or solicit attention from others.

Huffington Post

But students do not always interpret a classroom investigation as a scientist would; students often have different purposes for their investigations, for example, to explore, to make something happen by manipulating variables, or to solicit attention (Schauble et al., 1991; Rath and Brown, 1996; Windschitl et al., 2008).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

A cat or two would perch itself amid the throng, soliciting attention.

The Guardian - Books

However, it will quickly become clear if she neglects her work or it suffers because you will notice that she spends more time soliciting attention than knuckling down.

The Guardian - Money

Later, in a café near the square, Keltner has a cappuccino and, sitting at the counter, watches the variety of human touch as it reveals itself in that unending theatre: fingers flying on the keyboard, hands darting out to make a point, heads turning to underline a joke, bodies slouching and primping and jostling and soliciting attention.

The New Yorker

It has merely its scale to solicit our attention and an alien stench to repel us.

The Guardian - Books

Or, "Zuckerberg even emerged from his shell to solicit advance attention from a journalist, me, whom he invited inside the company for an exclusive story".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solicit attention" when you want to convey a deliberate effort to gain notice or interest, particularly when there's an element of request or invitation involved. For instance, a politician might "solicit attention" through public appearances to gain support.

Common error

Avoid using "solicit attention" when a more passive or unintentional attraction of attention is meant. Opt for alternatives like "attract attention"/s/attract+attention or "draw attention"/s/draw+attention if the focus is not on actively seeking it.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "solicit attention" is as a verb phrase where "solicit" acts as a transitive verb, taking "attention" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in English, indicating its proper function in sentences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

35%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "solicit attention" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the act of actively seeking or requesting attention. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not extremely common, it appears across diverse sources, from news outlets to scientific publications. When using this phrase, ensure that the context aligns with the intended meaning of intentional attention-seeking, rather than a passive attraction of attention. Consider alternatives like "attract attention" or "draw attention" if a less deliberate action is meant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

elicit notice

Highlights the act of drawing or bringing forth attention.

court attention

Implies actively trying to gain attention, often with a specific purpose.

attract awareness

Highlights the act of making something known or noticeable.

seek recognition

Focuses on seeking acknowledgment or validation.

gain visibility

Focuses on increasing prominence or the extent to which something is seen.

catch the eye

Focuses on visually attracting attention.

draw focus

Emphasizes attracting concentrated interest or awareness.

arouse interest

Suggests sparking curiosity or engagement.

invite scrutiny

Suggests drawing attention that might involve detailed examination or criticism.

provoke interest

Emphasizes stimulating interest, often in a more forceful way.

FAQs

What does "solicit attention" mean?

The phrase "solicit attention" means to actively seek or request attention. It implies an effort to gain notice or interest from others.

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

You can use "solicit attention" to describe someone actively trying to gain notice, such as, "The company used a viral marketing campaign to "solicit attention" for its new product."

What are some synonyms for "solicit attention"?

Some synonyms for "solicit attention" include "seek recognition", "court attention", or "attract awareness".

Is it always appropriate to try to "solicit attention"?

Whether it's appropriate to "solicit attention" depends on the context. In some situations, like marketing or advocacy, it's expected. In others, it might be seen as attention-seeking or inappropriate.