take your attention

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take your attention" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to encourage someone to focus on something important. For example: "Please take your attention to the following instructions for proper assembly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

It may take your attention, but you're not really winning.

The Guardian

It's as well to have an idea which section of the market you're aiming for - but, once you're under way, too much market awareness can take your attention away from the real business of writing.

The Guardian - Books

If you do not take your attention off the page too often to ask him to write about things outside his experience you will see once more how well he can write about what he knows.

The New York Times - Books

Just the same as venture capital, chasing publicity can take your attention away from the tasks that will move the needle.

Forbes

"Things as simple as drinking coffee or talking to your kids can take your attention away from the road," Kidd said.

Forbes

"I stopped paying attention to it [the business] and things started to slowly drift downhill". Dillard learned that hard way that even if you have your business up and running and functioning at full speed ahead, the moment you take your attention away from it, it will decline.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

The researchers say it could be because monitoring your happiness actually takes your attention away from the activity, overshadowing and detracting from the experience.

Independent

If there's anything taking your attention away from your kids, whether you're depressed, overworked or stressed out, kids feel that.

The Washington Post

For [wearable-computing advocates], the smartphone was kind of a letdown, because it's something that takes your attention off the real world.

MIT Technology Review

Oops - that's what comes of taking your attention off PM for even a few seconds.

BBC

For most businesses, doing so will hurt you by taking your attention away from other vital operations.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take your attention", ensure the context clearly indicates what the audience should focus on. Be specific to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "take your attention" when a more direct command like "focus" or "consider" would be clearer and more appropriate. Overuse can sound indirect or passive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take your attention" functions as an imperative, aiming to redirect or capture the listener's or reader's focus towards a specific subject or task. Examples from Ludwig indicate its use in directing attention away from distractions or towards important details.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

31%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take your attention" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed directive to guide focus. As Ludwig examples show, its use spans various contexts, including news media and instructional guides. It's crucial to ensure that the context is clear and the directive is appropriate for the audience. While alternatives like "focus your attention" exist, "take your attention" provides a versatile option for directing focus.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

focus your attention

Replaces "take" with "focus", emphasizing concentration.

direct your attention

Substitutes "take" with "direct", suggesting guidance towards something.

turn your attention

Emphasizes shifting focus from one thing to another.

lend your attention

Implies a temporary giving of focus.

give your attention

Similar to "lend", but can also suggest a more permanent focus.

dedicate your attention

Suggests committing focus fully to something.

apply your attention

Emphasizes actively using your focus on a task or subject.

draw your attention

Shifts the focus from the act of giving attention to the act of attracting it.

capture your attention

Implies seizing someone's focus, often unexpectedly.

command your attention

Suggests a forceful demand for focus.

FAQs

How can I use "take your attention" in a sentence?

You can use "take your attention" to direct someone's focus, such as "Take your attention to the details in this report" or "Take your attention away from distractions and focus on the task at hand".

What can I say instead of "take your attention"?

You can use alternatives like "focus your attention", "direct your attention", or "turn your attention" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take your attention" or "focus your attention"?

Both "take your attention" and "focus your attention" are correct. "Focus your attention" might be more direct, while "take your attention" can sound slightly more polite or suggestive.

When is it inappropriate to use "take your attention"?

It might be inappropriate in very informal settings or when a more commanding tone is needed. In such cases, consider using a simpler directive like "look here" or "listen up".