Grammar fix
pay attention
focus
to concentrate on something or listen carefully to it, so you notice important details.
collocationB1core
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
You need to pay attention during the lecture if you want to understand the topic.
In my opinion, students should pay attention in class because it helps them remember information and get better grades.
Fix the pattern
One small grammar move makes it sound right.
Not: You should pay attention the teacher.
Say: You should pay attention to the teacher.
'Pay attention TO' someone/something — don't drop 'to'.
Which sounds natural?
Tap the one a native speaker would say.
'Pay attention' is the standard phrase; 'direct your concentration towards' is unnatural.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
pay attention to + focus
- to detail
- to the road
- in class
- closely