Grammar fix
close attention
careful focus
To look at or think about something very carefully, noticing all the details.
collocationB1common
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
You need to pay close attention to the instructions if you want to do the job correctly.
In my opinion, teachers should give close attention to students who are struggling in class.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: Pay a close attention to the details.
Say: Pay close attention to the details.
'Pay close attention' — no 'a'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Meticulous undivided concentration' is overblown; 'pay close attention to' is the natural phrase.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
pay close attention to
- pay
- to
- detail
- with