Cool MateCall your attention to vs Signal
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Call your attention to
Top 3,000 (common)
Signal
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Signal
| Call your attention to | Signal | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //kɔːl jɔːr əˈtɛnʃən tuː//🇺🇸 //kɔl jɔr əˈtɛnʃən tu// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪɡnəl/"]/ |
| Meaning | To make you notice something important. | A sign or message that tells someone something. |
| Example | I want to call your attention to the changes in the schedule. | The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | call attention to detail, call attention to issues, call attention to risks, call attention to problems, call attention to opportunities | 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 | - | 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 '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. | Commonly used in both formal and informal contexts. In technical settings, it may refer to electromagnetic signals or communication. Avoid in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Call your attention to vs Signal
What's the difference between Call your attention to and Signal?
Call your attention to: To make you notice something important. Signal: A sign or message that tells someone something.
Which is more common: Call your attention to 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. Signal: The radio signal was weak, making it difficult to hear the news.
Can I use Call your attention to and Signal interchangeably?
Not always. Call your attention to 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.