paying attention vs attention

attention vs paying attention

paying attention and attention both are nouns.

paying attention is an adjective but attention is not an adjective.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
paying attention	Yes	Yes	No	No
attention	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, attention is a hypernym of paying attention; that is, attention is a word with a broader meaning than paying attention:

paying attention: paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)
attention: the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others

Other hypernyms of paying attention include attending.

paying attention (noun)	attention (noun)
paying particular notice (as to children or helpless people)	the work of providing treatment for or attending to someone or something
	a courteous act indicating affection
	a motionless erect stance with arms at the sides and feet together; assumed by military personnel during drill or review
	the process whereby a person concentrates on some features of the environment to the (relative) exclusion of others
	the faculty or power of mental concentration
	a general interest that leads people to want to know more

paying attention (adjective)	attention (adjective)
taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention

Difference between paying attention and attention

Words related to "paying attention"

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