Meaning & use
call attention to
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Meanings
phrasefixed phrase
to make people notice or think about something
Grammar: Takes an object after 'to': call attention to the mistake. The object can be a noun or an -ing form.
Patterns
- call attention to something
- call attention to doing something
The report calls attention to the rising cost of housing.
She called attention to the fact that no one had cleaned the kitchen.
The teacher called attention to the spelling error in the title.
phrasefixed phrase
to point out or emphasize something so that others notice it
Grammar: Often used when someone deliberately directs a group's focus, as in a meeting or presentation.
Patterns
- call attention to something
- call attention to the need for something
The manager called attention to the need for better training.
He called attention to the small print at the bottom of the contract.
Common combinations
- call attention to a problem
- The article calls attention to a problem many people ignore.
- call attention to the fact that
- She called attention to the fact that the deadline had passed.
- call attention to the need for
- The campaign calls attention to the need for clean water.
- call attention to yourself
- He shouted to call attention to himself.
Synonyms and how they differ
- highlight
- Means to make something stand out, often visually or in a text; 'call attention to' is more about directing people's thoughts.
- point out
- Means to tell someone a fact they may not have noticed; 'call attention to' often suggests a broader effort to make many people notice.
- draw attention to
- Very close in meaning, but 'draw' often suggests attracting notice naturally, while 'call' can suggest doing it deliberately.
Opposites
Commonly confused: call attention to or pay attention to?
call attention to vs pay attention to
Means you listen or watch carefully yourself. 'Call attention to' means you make other people notice something.
Practice
The article ______ the lack of safety training in factories.
Choose one answer.
'Calls attention to' is the correct phrase because it means the article makes readers notice the problem. 'Pays attention to' would mean the article itself is listening or watching, which is wrong. 'Calls attention for' and 'calls attention on' use the wrong preposition.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “call attention to”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.