May we direct your attention to
Formal business communication expression
Use this phrase to professionally guide a group's focus during presentations or formal announcements.
15秒了解
- A polite way to guide someone's focus to something specific.
- Commonly used in presentations, speeches, and formal business emails.
- Sounds professional, authoritative, and very respectful of the audience.
意思
This is a very polite and professional way to ask someone to look at or focus on something specific. It is like saying 'Please look at this,' but much more formal and respectful.
关键例句
3 / 6During a corporate presentation
May we direct your attention to the growth charts on the screen?
May we direct your attention to the growth charts on the screen?
A flight attendant speaking to passengers
May we direct your attention to the safety card in your seat pocket?
May we direct your attention to the safety card in your seat pocket?
In a formal business email
May we direct your attention to paragraph four of the attached contract?
May we direct your attention to paragraph four of the attached contract?
文化背景
This phrase is a hallmark of 'Corporate English' and the hospitality industry. It originated in formal public speaking and theater announcements to ensure a large audience focused simultaneously. Today, it is most famously associated with airline safety briefings, making it a globally recognized signal for 'important information incoming.'
The Power of 'We'
Even if you are the only one speaking, using `we` makes you sound like you represent the entire company. It adds a layer of professional weight.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase five times in one presentation, you'll sound like a robot. Mix it up with `Please note` or `As you can see`.
15秒了解
- A polite way to guide someone's focus to something specific.
- Commonly used in presentations, speeches, and formal business emails.
- Sounds professional, authoritative, and very respectful of the audience.
What It Means
This phrase is a gentle nudge for someone's eyes or thoughts. You aren't just saying 'Look!' You are inviting them to focus. It sounds professional and very respectful of their time. It makes the listener feel important. It suggests that what you are showing them is valuable.
How To Use It
Start your sentence with this phrase to guide your audience. Mention the specific object or topic immediately after. For example, May we direct your attention to the screen. It works best when you represent a group or a company. Using we instead of I makes it sound more official.
When To Use It
Use it during a big presentation at work. It is perfect for flight attendants giving safety instructions. It also works well in formal emails to clients. Use it when you want to sound authoritative yet helpful. It is great for opening a ceremony or a tour.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this at a bar with friends. If you say it while pointing at a burger, they will laugh. Avoid it in casual texts or quick Slack messages. It is too heavy for a quick chat about lunch. It can sound sarcastic if used in a casual setting.
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from the 'service with a smile' culture. It mimics the language of high-end hotels or grand theaters. It creates a sense of occasion and importance. It reflects the Western corporate emphasis on politeness. It avoids being bossy by framing the request as a polite question.
Common Variations
You might hear Please direct your attention to. Sometimes people say I’d like to draw your attention to. Both are slightly less formal but still professional. Look at this is the casual cousin you use with friends. Check this out is the even cooler, younger version.
使用说明
This phrase is strictly formal. It is best used when addressing a group or in written business correspondence. Using it in casual conversation will likely be perceived as a joke or as being unnecessarily stiff.
The Power of 'We'
Even if you are the only one speaking, using `we` makes you sound like you represent the entire company. It adds a layer of professional weight.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this phrase five times in one presentation, you'll sound like a robot. Mix it up with `Please note` or `As you can see`.
The Sarcastic Twist
In the UK and US, people sometimes use this phrase sarcastically to point out something obvious, like a mess or a mistake. It's a way of being 'fancy' to be funny.
例句
6May we direct your attention to the growth charts on the screen?
May we direct your attention to the growth charts on the screen?
Used to transition the audience's focus to a visual aid.
May we direct your attention to the safety card in your seat pocket?
May we direct your attention to the safety card in your seat pocket?
The classic usage for public safety announcements.
May we direct your attention to paragraph four of the attached contract?
May we direct your attention to paragraph four of the attached contract?
Helps the reader find specific information in a long document.
May we direct your attention to the intricate details on this marble statue?
May we direct your attention to the intricate details on this marble statue?
Used to highlight a specific feature during a guided experience.
May we direct your attention to the mountain of dishes in the sink?
May we direct your attention to the mountain of dishes in the sink?
Using high formality for a low-stakes situation creates a humorous effect.
May we direct your attention to the dance floor for the couple's first dance?
May we direct your attention to the dance floor for the couple's first dance?
Used to signal a transition in a formal event.
自我测试
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the formal request.
May we direct your ___ to the new safety protocols listed on the board?
The standard colocation for this formal phrase is 'attention'.
Complete the phrase used in a business meeting.
___ we direct your attention to the quarterly results?
'May' is the most formal and polite auxiliary verb for this specific expression.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality Spectrum of Directing Focus
Used with friends or family.
Look at this!
Standard workplace communication.
Please check the attachment.
Presentations or client emails.
I'd like to point out the data.
Official announcements or ceremonies.
May we direct your attention to...
Where to use 'May we direct your attention to'
Boardroom Meeting
Pointing to a slide.
Airplane Cabin
Safety demonstration.
Art Gallery
Highlighting a painting.
Legal Document
Referencing a clause.
Grand Opening
Introducing a speaker.
常见问题
10 个问题Yes, it is perfectly fine. May I sounds a bit more personal, while May we sounds like you are speaking for an organization.
Only if you are being funny or very dramatic. In a normal text, it sounds way too stiff and robotic.
It literally means to guide your focus or your eyes toward something. It's a polite way of saying 'Please look here.'
Absolutely. It is very common in formal British English, especially in transport announcements and formal ceremonies.
Grammatically, it is a question, but it functions as a polite request. You don't usually wait for a 'Yes' before continuing.
Yes, you can say May we direct your attention to our keynote speaker. It creates a grand entrance.
In a professional setting, yes. Please look at is fine, but May we direct your attention to sounds more sophisticated and polished.
The most common mistake is forgetting the word to. Always say direct your attention TO [something].
A little bit, but in a 'classic and professional' way, not in a 'confusing and ancient' way.
Yes, if you are showing your portfolio. For example: May we direct your attention to this project I completed last year.
相关表达
Please note
A shorter, professional way to tell someone to pay attention to a detail.
I'd like to point out
A common way to highlight a specific fact or feature in a meeting.
Take a look at
A neutral/informal way to ask someone to examine something.
Observe the following
Very formal, often used in scientific or highly technical contexts.
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