only pay attention to vs pay attention only to

Both "only pay attention to" and "pay attention only to" are correct and commonly used in English. The placement of the word "only" can vary depending on the emphasis the speaker wants to give. The choice between the two depends on the specific context and the intended emphasis.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 1917 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"only pay attention to"

This phrase is used to emphasize that attention should be directed exclusively to a particular thing or person.

Examples:

You should only pay attention to the main points of the presentation.
I will only pay attention to the instructions given by the teacher.

Show examples from the web [+]

It really does look like we only pay attention to the interests of financial institutions, to speculators and to big business.
Everyone stop what you're doing and only pay attention to me!
You only pay attention to Tanya.
It would be so much easier to only pay attention when I needed to.
So you want to go to that board meeting, but you only want to pay attention to the bits that interest you.
Of course not, only the things he pays attention to.
Only products which pay proper attention to food safety, animal welfare and the environment should be considered for subsidy.
They only pay attention if they win or lose money.
I pay attention only when something happens...
Only nobody pays any attention till they pull out sawed-off shotguns and start shooting at everybody.
Only way I could get someone to pay attention to me.
When answering verbal analogies pay attention to the verb tense.
Don't really pay attention to them.
Dad, pay attention to your children.
Please pay attention to these instructions.
Pay attention to not only how fun this thing is, but also how the portability that comes with this can totally change the way you interact with a city like San Francisco.
The Commission must understand that a sustainable and viable fisheries sector is only possible if it has the trust and cooperation of the fishermen and pays attention to the points of view of the parties concerned.
If you consider that my region in the Alps, with only 450000 inhabitants, earmarks ECU 1 m more than what the Union as a whole was allocating, you will realize just how vital it is to pay attention to tourism.
It is important that it is not only today that we discuss and pay attention to children but that we do this every day of the year.
If only I can stay awake, pay attention to where I'm going, where I've been, and get out of here.

Alternatives:

focus only on
concentrate solely on
give attention only to
attend exclusively to
direct attention only to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"pay attention only to"

This phrase is also used to emphasize that attention should be directed exclusively to a particular thing or person.

Examples:

You should pay attention only to the details that are relevant.
She decided to pay attention only to her studies.

Show examples from the web [+]

It really does look like we only pay attention to the interests of financial institutions, to speculators and to big business.
I would also very much recommend that we pay greater attention not only to working with the energy producers, but also to establishing dialogue with consumers.
Everyone stop what you're doing and only pay attention to me!
Pay attention to not only how fun this thing is, but also how the portability that comes with this can totally change the way you interact with a city like San Francisco.
I pay attention only when something happens...
They only pay attention if they win or lose money.
It would be so much easier to only pay attention when I needed to.
It only takes a few persuasive members to make the others pay attention.
Of course not, only the things he pays attention to.
Only way I could get someone to pay attention to me.
Of course we... and pay attention, I noted 27 only points in the second half.
You only pay attention to Tanya.
Okay, I know I don't pay attention in class, But bertha is a sea-dwelling creature only, right?
So you want to go to that board meeting, but you only want to pay attention to the bits that interest you.
The Commission must understand that a sustainable and viable fisheries sector is only possible if it has the trust and cooperation of the fishermen and pays attention to the points of view of the parties concerned.
If you consider that my region in the Alps, with only 450000 inhabitants, earmarks ECU 1 m more than what the Union as a whole was allocating, you will realize just how vital it is to pay attention to tourism.
It is important that it is not only today that we discuss and pay attention to children but that we do this every day of the year.
If only I can stay awake, pay attention to where I'm going, where I've been, and get out of here.
When optimising capacity, it is important to pay attention to airport facilities, vehicles that transport passengers and ensuring that disabled people can approach aircraft, since this is the only way to ensure equality in air transport.
Their unemployment rate is through the roof, and since I only have 45 seconds, I would love for you to actually pay attention for some of it. I'm listening, keep talking.

Alternatives:

focus solely on
concentrate only on
give attention solely to
attend only to
direct attention solely to

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only pay attention to vs pay attention only to