paid any attention

Meaning

1. 1phraseidiom

   Noticed or listened to someone or something; usually used in negatives to mean someone did not notice or care.

   Grammar: Used as a fixed phrase, often with 'not' or 'never' before it: 'She didn't pay any attention.'

   Patterns

   • not paid any attention to someone/something
   • never paid any attention to someone/something
   • paid any attention to someone/something

   He was talking loudly, but nobody paid any attention.

   She never paid any attention to the warning signs.

   Did you pay any attention to what the teacher said?

Common combinations

pay attention to

Please pay attention to the road while you're driving.

not pay any attention

The baby cried, but the mother didn't pay any attention.

pay close attention

You need to pay close attention to the details.

pay no attention

Pay no attention to the rumors; they aren't true.

Synonyms and how they differ

notice

Means to see or become aware of something; 'pay attention' is more active and often means you are deliberately focusing.

heed

Formal and means to listen to and follow advice or a warning; 'pay attention' is more general.

Opposites

Word family

attention noun

The act of watching or listening carefully.

attentive adjective

Paying close attention; helpful and considerate.

Commonly confused: paid any attention or attend?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “paid any attention”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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