spark attention

USAGE SUMMARY

"spark attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it in situations where you are asking someone to focus their attention on something, to catch their interest, or to make something noticeable. For example, "I used bright colors to spark attention to the flyer advertising the event."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Revolutions need tinder, a spark, attention and engagement.

The Guardian - Opinion

One benefit of using Labo in education seems obvious: Bringing a Nintendo game into classrooms tends to spark attention.

Forbes

In truth, no single article can do justice to either the Harlem Renaissance or its later revival; yet if nothing else, an introduction to the history and energy of the times can spark attention, revive interest, and perhaps, spur you to learn more, on your own.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Called the giant monkey frog in English, because it climbs high into the rainforest canopy, the kambô first sparked attention among foreign researchers decades ago.

The New York Times

Elisabeth Braw's story on the bicycle gear which can track your heart rate and monitor potholes excited cycling enthusiasts, while Bernie Bulkin's analysis of two exciting cleantech innovations sparked attention.

The Guardian

It doesn't have the advertising budget of titans like Nissan and Toyota, but it sparked attention with a social media movement that rallied against "dumb" mindless overconsumption.

Forbes

These revelations have once again sparked attention toward the usage of offshore finance; rankling politicians, anti-corruption bureaus, and tax justice campaigners.

Forbes

This would represent a hefty jump from the 37% marginal tax rate currently applied to this super-rich group, so it's no surprise the idea has sparked attention both positive and negative -- including harsh criticism from former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan.

Forbes

A few months later, the freshman congressman sparked attention after walking out in the middle of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.

Huffington Post

In such instances, you're often dealing with an adversary more interested in sparking attention from the attack than in keeping the disruption secret to dislodge more money from the stolen information.

Huffington Post

Neither Will nor Jada have commented on the DCFS investigation, however, the 42-year-old actress initially brushed off any notion of controversy after the photo of Willow sparked attention, telling TMZ's cameramen: "Here's the deal: There was nothing sexual about that picture or that situation.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "spark attention" when you want to emphasize the initial moment of capturing someone's focus or interest. It's suitable for describing events, ideas or marketing strategies that aim to grab attention quickly.

Common error

Avoid using "spark attention" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. In these contexts, consider alternatives like "elicit attention" or "draw attention" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spark attention" functions as a verb phrase where "spark" acts as a transitive verb taking "attention" as its direct object. According to Ludwig, it is used to describe the action of initiating or igniting interest in something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spark attention" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of initiating or igniting interest. According to Ludwig, it is commonly found in news and media contexts, but less so in academic or encyclopedic writing. While versatile, it's important to consider the formality of the context, opting for synonyms like "elicit attention" in more formal settings. While the phrase itself is correct and understandable, its infrequent occurrence suggests considering alternative phrasing for greater impact or clarity, depending on the desired effect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attract attention

Focuses on attention being drawn towards something.

spark interest

Focuses on generating interest, which often leads to attention.

cause attention

Replaces "spark" with a more general verb, indicating the act of initiating attention.

elicit attention

Focuses on drawing out attention from a source.

stir attention

Implies a gentle arousal of attention.

trigger attention

Indicates that something specific sets off or activates attention.

spur attention

Implies encouraging or prompting attention to arise.

boost attention

Suggests an increase in existing attention, rather than initiating it.

prompt attention

Indicates that something encourages attention.

provoke attention

Suggests a more forceful or controversial way of gaining attention.

FAQs

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

You can use "spark attention" to describe something that initiates interest or focus, such as: "The company's innovative marketing campaign aimed to spark attention among young consumers."

What are some alternatives to "spark attention"?

Alternatives to "spark attention" include "attract attention", "elicit attention", or "draw attention", depending on the context.

Is "spark attention" formal or informal?

"Spark attention" is generally suitable for a neutral to slightly informal tone. For highly formal or academic writing, consider using a more sophisticated alternative such as "elicit attention".

What's the difference between "spark attention" and "attract attention"?

"Spark attention" implies an initial burst of interest, whereas "attract attention" suggests a more sustained or magnetic pull. "Spark attention" is about the initial moment of capture, while "attract" implies a continuous drawing-in.