Cool MateCall your attention to vs Highlight vs Signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Call your attention to
Highlight
Signal
| Call your attention to | Highlight | Signal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɔːl jɔːr əˈtɛnʃən tuː//🇺🇸 //kɔl jɔr əˈtɛnʃən tu// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈhaɪlaɪt/","/ˈhaɪlaɪts/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪd/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈhaɪlaɪt/","/ˈhaɪlaɪts/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪd/","/ˈhaɪlaɪtɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make you notice something important. | To make something stand out or more important. | A sign or message that tells someone something. |
| Example | I want to call your attention to the changes in the schedule. | The teacher asked us to highlight the important points in the text. | The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun | |
| Collocations | call attention to detail, call attention to issues, call attention to risks, call attention to problems, call attention to opportunities | clearly, dramatically, graphically, serve to | clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for, railroad, railway, traffic, operate, be on red/green, be red/green, fail, box, failure, faint, weak, strong, carry, pass, relay, travel, fade, intensity, strength, signal from, signal to, clear, unmistakable, agreed, give (somebody), make, send, come from something, indicate something, at a signal, on a signal, signal for |
| Antonyms | - | diminish, ignore, downplay | noise, silence |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'your' - It should be 'call your attention', not just 'call attention'., Using 'to' when it should be 'on' - The correct phrase is 'call attention to', not 'call attention on'. | Confused with 'understate' — often used in opposite contexts., Misused as a noun — some learners may incorrectly use it as 'the highlight of my life'., Saying 'highlighting of' instead of 'highlighting'. | Confused with 'sign' — remember 'signal' is an act of sending a message., Using the wrong preposition, e.g., 'signal to' instead of 'signal for'., Mispronunciation, often saying 'sig-nal' instead of 'sig-nuhl'. |
| Usage notes | Use this phrase in both spoken and written English to point out important information. It is appropriate in formal settings, like presentations or reports. | Used in contexts like presentations and studies. Generally avoids overly casual settings. In formal writing, use sparingly to maintain tone. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In technical settings, it may refer to electromagnetic signals or communication. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Call your attention to vs Highlight vs Signal
What's the difference between Call your attention to, Highlight, and Signal?
Call your attention to: To make you notice something important. Highlight: To make something stand out or more important. Signal: A sign or message that tells someone something.
Which is more common: Call your attention to, Highlight, and Signal?
Signal is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Call your attention to: I want to call your attention to the changes in the schedule. Highlight: The teacher asked us to highlight the important points in the text. Signal: The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news.
Can I use Call your attention to, Highlight, and Signal interchangeably?
Not always. Call your attention to, Highlight, and Signal are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.