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undivided attention — full attention (collocation)

collocationC1IELTS 7+neutraloccasional

complete focus on one person or thing, without being distracted by anything else.

Say it like a native

Textbook You now have my complete and uninterrupted concentration.

Native You've got my undivided attention.

'Undivided attention' is the set phrase; the paraphrase is clunky.

Pattern: give/show/pay + undivided attention (to someone/something)

In use

  • During the interview, the manager gave me her undivided attention, making me feel truly heard.communication
  • If children receive their parents' undivided attention during homework time, they are likely to feel more supported and motivated.IELTS speaking

Common mistake

✗ I gave him all my undivided attention.

✓ I gave him my undivided attention.

'Undivided' already means full — don't add 'all'.

Common collocations

  • undivided attention + give — give someone, have my, your, deserve

Don't confuse it

Unlike 'pay attention', which can mean any level of focus, 'undivided attention' stresses that nothing else is distracting you. It is more emphatic and formal than simply saying 'full attention'.

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