steer attention toward

USAGE SUMMARY

"steer attention toward" is a correct and widely used phrase in written English.
It is most commonly used when asking someone to focus their awareness on a certain topic or concept. For example: "Let's steer our attention toward the strategies we can use to increase sales."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

On Thursday at Cherokee Trikes, which manufactures the "trikes" that turn two-wheel motorcycles into three-wheelers, Romney said he believed his record at Bain had been vetted by reporters over the years and sought to steer attention toward the more positive stories of Bain's investments in companies that ultimately created jobs.

Los Angeles Times

There are, of course, many passages in the New Testament that steer attention toward the dawn of a new era -- begun in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, but also finally to be fulfilled in his future "appearing" and the expectation of a coming judgment.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

But Disney's video game and Web unit finally swung to a profit and the conglomerate steered attention toward potential "Star Wars" growth.

The New York Times

More recently, Fox hosts have promoted tea party rallies against big government and steered attention toward a number of White House czar appointments.

The New York Times

The pavilions serve as a focal point for the public's attention to steer them toward the hundreds of exhibits, events, and other activities of the more than 250 Centennial Program Partners in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Wikipedia

And when Leonard figures a way to steer Julia's attentions toward another club member, Dr. Paramore (Chris Mixon), the path is cleared for a tidy, if deflating, conclusion.

The New York Times

He has strengthened relations with the United States, focused heavy diplomatic attention on Africa, and helped steer North Korea toward a pact to end its nuclear weapons program.

The New York Times

But as this fund-raising is prodding greater attention from local governments back home, officials in Mexico are trying to steer efforts toward projects with a lasting effect.

The New York Times

to steer authors toward the gold option.

Harvard University

Bella Icahn tried to steer Carl toward medicine.

The New Yorker

The schools should then steer students toward the federal program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "steer attention toward" when you want to actively and deliberately redirect someone's focus to a particular topic or aspect, especially when it involves navigating through different possibilities or distractions.

Common error

Avoid using "steer attention toward" when a simpler and more direct phrase like "focus on" or "look at" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "steer attention toward" functions as a transitive verb phrase, actively directing or re-directing focus. It implies a deliberate act of navigation or guidance, as seen in the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "steer attention toward" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of redirecting focus. Ludwig identifies its primary function as a transitive verb phrase used to emphasize particular aspects. Although the phrase has a neutral register, it has relatively rare occurrence, according to Ludwig, and is most frequently used in News & Media, Academia, and Wiki contexts. When writing, consider whether a more direct phrase like "focus on" would be more effective and to avoid verbose constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turn attention toward

Uses "turn" instead of "steer", offering a slightly more common and less forceful alternative.

direct attention to

Replaces "steer toward" with "direct to", providing a more concise and direct option.

focus attention on

Uses "focus on" to highlight the act of concentrating on something specific.

guide attention to

Substitutes "steer" with "guide", suggesting a gentler and more persuasive approach.

draw attention to

Emphasizes the act of attracting focus rather than actively redirecting it.

bring attention to

Similar to "draw attention to", but implies a more active effort in making something noticeable.

channel attention toward

Emphasizes the deliberate direction of focus, suggesting a controlled flow of attention.

orient attention toward

Suggests aligning or adjusting focus towards a particular direction or topic.

redirect attention to

Highlights the act of changing the current focus to a different subject.

call attention to

Focuses on making something noticeable, often to initiate discussion or action.

FAQs

How can I use "steer attention toward" in a sentence?

You can use "steer attention toward" to suggest a redirection of focus. For example, "Let's steer our attention toward the next item on the agenda".

What are some alternatives to "steer attention toward"?

Alternatives include "turn attention toward", "direct attention to", or "focus attention on", depending on the context.

Is "steer attention toward" more formal than "focus on"?

Yes, "steer attention toward" can be perceived as slightly more formal and deliberate compared to the more direct and common phrase "focus on".

When is it best to use "steer attention toward" instead of "draw attention to"?

"Steer attention toward" is suitable when actively redirecting existing focus, while "draw attention to" is better when initially highlighting something that hasn't been noticed yet.