B2 Expression Formal 2 min de lectura

Special attention should be paid to

Formal business communication expression

Use this phrase to highlight critical details professionally without sounding overly aggressive or bossy.

En 15 segundos

  • Highlights a critical detail in a professional way.
  • Uses passive voice to sound polite and objective.
  • Commonly found in business reports and formal emails.

Significado

This phrase is a polite way to tell someone to focus on a specific, important detail. It's like pointing a finger at a piece of information and saying, 'Don't miss this part!'

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

In a corporate budget meeting

Special attention should be paid to our rising software costs this quarter.

Special attention should be paid to our rising software costs this quarter.

💼
2

Giving cooking instructions for a complex dish

Special attention should be paid to the temperature of the oil.

Special attention should be paid to the temperature of the oil.

🤝
3

A formal email regarding a legal contract

Special attention should be paid to the termination clause in section four.

Special attention should be paid to the termination clause in section four.

👔
🌍

Contexto cultural

This phrase is a staple of 'Corporate English.' It reflects a cultural preference in English-speaking workplaces for indirectness and professionalism. By using the passive voice ('should be paid'), the speaker avoids sounding like they are barking orders, which is highly valued in modern collaborative environments.

💡

The Passive Power

Using 'should be paid' instead of 'you should pay' makes you sound more objective. It sounds like the situation requires attention, not just that you are demanding it.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If you use this phrase five times in one email, everything becomes 'special.' If everything is special, nothing is. Save it for the one truly critical point.

En 15 segundos

  • Highlights a critical detail in a professional way.
  • Uses passive voice to sound polite and objective.
  • Commonly found in business reports and formal emails.

What It Means

Imagine you are a lighthouse. This phrase is your bright beam of light. It shines directly on the most important part of a project or plan. It tells your audience that while everything is important, this specific item is the most critical. It sounds professional, serious, and very clear.

How To Use It

You usually place this phrase at the beginning of a sentence. It is often followed by a noun or a specific topic. For example, Special attention should be paid to the budget. You are using the passive voice here. This makes the instruction sound like a general rule rather than a personal command. It’s a very smooth way to lead a team.

When To Use It

Use this in a formal meeting or a business email. It is perfect for project reports or safety instructions. If you are a doctor, you might use it when discussing a patient's care. If you are a teacher, use it to highlight a difficult exam topic. It shows you have a high level of English and authority.

When NOT To Use It

Do not use this phrase while eating pizza with your best friend. It is way too stiff for a casual Saturday night. If you say, Special attention should be paid to the extra cheese, your friend might think you've turned into a robot. Avoid it in quick text messages or when you want to sound relaxed and friendly.

Cultural Background

Western business culture often prefers 'soft' commands. Instead of saying 'Look at this!', we use the passive voice to sound more objective. This phrase avoids blaming anyone or sounding too bossy. It focuses on the task itself. It grew popular in corporate environments where precision and politeness are equally valued.

Common Variations

You can swap a few words to change the flavor. Try Particular focus should be given to for a similar vibe. If you want to be even stronger, use It is imperative that we focus on. For something slightly shorter, you can say We must highlight. All of these keep you sounding like a total professional.

Notas de uso

This phrase is firmly in the formal register. Use it in writing or formal presentations to signal high-priority information while maintaining a professional distance.

💡

The Passive Power

Using 'should be paid' instead of 'you should pay' makes you sound more objective. It sounds like the situation requires attention, not just that you are demanding it.

⚠️

Don't Overuse It

If you use this phrase five times in one email, everything becomes 'special.' If everything is special, nothing is. Save it for the one truly critical point.

💬

The 'Polite Command' Secret

In English, the longer the sentence, the more polite it usually is. 'Look!' is a command. 'Special attention should be paid to...' is a professional suggestion that no one can ignore.

Ejemplos

6
#1 In a corporate budget meeting
💼

Special attention should be paid to our rising software costs this quarter.

Special attention should be paid to our rising software costs this quarter.

Highlights a specific financial concern to the board.

#2 Giving cooking instructions for a complex dish
🤝

Special attention should be paid to the temperature of the oil.

Special attention should be paid to the temperature of the oil.

Emphasizes a step that could ruin the meal if missed.

#3 A formal email regarding a legal contract
👔

Special attention should be paid to the termination clause in section four.

Special attention should be paid to the termination clause in section four.

Directs the reader to a high-risk part of a document.

#4 Texting a friend about a complicated party plan
😄

Special attention should be paid to the fact that Sarah is bringing her cat.

Special attention should be paid to the fact that Sarah is bringing her cat.

Using formal language for a minor detail adds a layer of irony.

#5 Discussing relationship needs with a partner
💭

Special attention should be paid to how we handle our disagreements.

Special attention should be paid to how we handle our disagreements.

Uses a structured phrase to bring focus to a sensitive topic.

#6 A travel guide warning tourists
😊

Special attention should be paid to your belongings in crowded areas.

Special attention should be paid to your belongings in crowded areas.

A standard way to issue a formal warning or advice.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence to highlight the deadline in a professional email.

___ the project deadline on Friday.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Special attention should be paid to

The standard phrase is 'Special attention should be paid to' followed by the noun phrase.

Choose the correct preposition to complete the phrase.

Special attention should be paid ___ the safety protocols.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: to

In English, we 'pay attention TO' something. This rule remains the same in the passive voice.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality Level of 'Special attention should be paid to'

Casual

Talking to friends.

Look at this!

Neutral

Workplace chat.

Don't forget to check the data.

Formal

Business reports/emails.

Special attention should be paid to the data.

Very Formal

Legal/Academic writing.

It is of paramount importance that focus be directed toward...

Where to use 'Special attention should be paid to'

High Focus Situations
📊

Boardroom Presentation

Highlighting quarterly losses.

⚠️

Safety Manual

Warning about high voltage.

🎓

Academic Essay

Analyzing a specific variable.

🏥

Medical Consultation

Discussing specific symptoms.

🍳

Complex Recipe

Warning about delicate sauce.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

It means you need to look very closely at a specific detail because it is more important than the others. Think of it as a professional way to say Look at this!

Not really, unless you are being funny. It sounds very formal, so using it in a casual setting like a bar or a park would sound strange.

Yes, using must makes it much stronger and more urgent. Use should for a polite recommendation and must for a strict requirement.

In English, 'attention' is something you 'pay,' like money. It's a common collocation, meaning these words are almost always used together.

It is most common in business, but you can also find it in academic writing, medical reports, and technical manuals.

Focus on is more direct and active. Special attention should be paid to is more formal and indirect because it uses the passive voice.

It's rare. It almost always comes before the subject you want people to notice, like Special attention should be paid to the details.

Yes, Particular attention and Special attention are interchangeable. Particular sounds slightly more sophisticated or British.

Actually, no. Because it doesn't use the word 'you,' it sounds like the task itself is important, which is less bossy than saying 'You must look at this.'

The most common mistake is using the wrong preposition. Always use to after paid, never on or at.

Frases relacionadas

Of particular note

Used to introduce a specific fact that is worth noticing.

It is worth highlighting

Used when you want to emphasize a specific point in a discussion.

Bear in mind that

A way to tell someone to remember a specific piece of information.

Crucially

A single word used to introduce the most important part of a sentence.

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