Common Mistakes : Attention

 noun

.BAD: Everyone should pay attention to avoiding stressful situations

.GOOD: Everyone should take care to avoid stressful situations

.BAD: Pay attention when refueling and try not to spill any petrol

.GOOD: Be careful when refueling and try not to spill any petrol

When talking about a situation that could be dangerous or harmful, use be careful or take care NOT pay attention

.When the road surface is wet, drivers should take extra care

.Be careful to keep all medicines out of the reach of children

.BAD: People should pay more attention on what they eat

.GOOD: People should pay more attention to what they eat

(pay attention to sb/sth (NOT on/in/at

.This part of the course pays special attention to the spoken language

.BAD: When driving, you must give your best attention to what you are doing

.GOOD: When driving, you must give your full attention to what you are doing

full/undivided attention

.I assure you that this matter will receive our undivided attention

.BAD: The attention is a bit slow, but the waiters are always polite

.GOOD: The service is a bit slow, but the waiters are always polite

service = the help and attention that you get from the people who work in a shop or restaurant

.We complained about the poor service

.BAD: To the attention of: Mrs H. Greaves, Principal

.GOOD: For the attention of: Mrs H. Greaves, Principal

(for the attention of (NOT to/at