When it comes to communicating effectively in English, especially in formal or professional settings, the phrase “I wanted to bring to your attention” is one that often pops up. Whether you’re writing an email, drafting a report, or speaking in a business meeting, this phrase can help you convey important information clearly and politely. But what does it really mean, and how can you use it effectively? Let’s dive into this useful phrase and explore the many ways you can incorporate it into your communication.
What is “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”?
Definition of the Phrase
“I wanted to bring to your attention” is a polite and formal way of introducing something important that you think someone should know or consider. It’s often used in emails, reports, and other professional forms of communication to highlight something that requires the recipient’s focus.
Common Usage in Professional or Formal Settings
In professional settings, this phrase is often used to introduce issues, updates, or requests that need to be addressed. It’s an excellent way to ensure that the person you are communicating with understands the importance of the message you’re sharing. Whether you’re reminding someone of an upcoming deadline, pointing out a potential problem, or offering feedback, this phrase is a helpful tool for creating clarity.
Here’s an example in a formal email:
“Dear Mr. Smith,
I wanted to bring to your attention that the project deadline has been moved up by two weeks. Please adjust your schedule accordingly.
Best regards,
John Doe”
In this example, the phrase is used to ensure that the recipient understands the urgency of the message.
When to Use “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
Formal and Professional Contexts
When you’re communicating in a formal setting—be it in a business email, professional report, or even a client meeting—”I wanted to bring to your attention” is an excellent choice. It adds an air of professionalism and respect to your message. It’s also a way to make sure that your message is received with the seriousness it deserves.
For example, you might use this phrase when communicating about a deadline change, an issue that needs immediate attention, or a key piece of information that others need to be aware of.
In Educational or Business Settings
In educational settings, students often use this phrase when addressing professors or colleagues. For instance, a student might send an email to a professor to inform them of a missing assignment or a scheduling conflict. In business, it’s used to highlight important updates, reminders, or to ask questions.
For instance, if you need to notify a manager about a delay in delivery:
“I wanted to bring to your attention that the shipment from the supplier has been delayed. We expect it to arrive by Friday.”
Here, the phrase helps draw attention to something that could impact operations.
In Customer Service or Complaint Letters
When addressing customer concerns or complaints, this phrase can be used to point out issues or escalate matters. In these situations, it’s crucial to use polite language to maintain professionalism and calmness.
For example:
“Dear Customer Support,
I wanted to bring to your attention a recurring issue with the software update that we have been experiencing. It’s causing significant disruptions to our work. Can you please look into this matter urgently?”
This shows the importance of addressing the concern while remaining polite.
How to Use “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
Using “I wanted to bring to your attention” effectively requires a little finesse. Here, we’ll explore how to use this phrase in both written and spoken forms, offering you examples and tips to ensure you convey your message politely and clearly.
In Emails
Emails are one of the most common places you’ll use this phrase. It serves as a polite and formal way to introduce important points or updates without sounding too abrupt or informal.
Example sentence structures:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention that the meeting has been rescheduled.”
- “I wanted to bring to your attention an urgent matter regarding the upcoming project deadline.”
- “I wanted to bring to your attention the recent changes in the policy document.”
In these examples, the phrase acts as a signal that something requires the recipient’s focus. It’s helpful to follow this up with the details of the matter to provide context and clarity.
Do’s and Don’ts of Using the Phrase in Written Communication:
Do’s:
- Use it to highlight important updates or concerns. When you need to make sure that something gets noticed, this phrase is your ally.
- Follow up with clear details. After you’ve used the phrase, make sure the body of your email or message explains the situation thoroughly.
- Use a professional tone. While this phrase is polite, it’s best to maintain professionalism in your language when writing to colleagues or clients.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overuse it. While effective, it’s easy to fall into a repetitive pattern. Only use it when necessary to draw attention to something important.
- Avoid vagueness. Just saying “I wanted to bring to your attention” without context leaves the reader hanging. Be sure to follow up with the information they need.
In Conversations
While “I wanted to bring to your attention” is common in written communication, it can also be used in conversations—though it might sound a little more formal in speech. In this case, you’ll want to consider your audience and the context to decide how to phrase it.
Tips for Integrating the Phrase into Spoken English:
- Make it conversational. In casual conversations, consider shortening the phrase or adapting it to sound more natural. For example, “Hey, I just wanted to point something out” or “I need to mention something important.”
- Use it to highlight important points. In meetings or discussions, when you need to bring attention to a detail, it’s a great phrase to use to make sure you don’t get overlooked.
Example dialogues:
- Work-related conversation:
- “Hey, I wanted to bring to your attention that the team meeting has been moved to Friday.”
- “Oh, thanks for letting me know. I’ll make sure to adjust my schedule.”
- Casual conversation:
- “I just wanted to bring to your attention that I noticed a small error in the report.”
- “Thanks! I’ll fix it right away.”
Here, in a more casual setting, you can still use the phrase but feel free to simplify it or use a more relaxed tone.
Synonyms and Alternatives to “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
One of the great things about the phrase “I wanted to bring to your attention” is that it’s versatile, but sometimes it’s helpful to have a few alternatives up your sleeve. Whether you want to switch things up to avoid repetition or suit different tones, having a variety of options can make your communication smoother and more dynamic. Let’s explore some common synonyms and alternative phrases for “I wanted to bring to your attention.”
Synonyms and Alternatives to “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
1. I’d Like to Point Out
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- Meaning: To make someone aware of something important.
- Best Use: When you want to casually highlight something without sounding too formal.
- Example: “I’d like to point out that the submission deadline is approaching.”
- Tone: Slightly more casual than “I wanted to bring to your attention,” yet still polite and clear.
2. I Wish to Highlight
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- Meaning: To emphasize something important or noteworthy.
- Best Use: In formal contexts, such as reports, presentations, or professional emails.
- Example: “I wish to highlight the key points from this morning’s meeting.”
- Tone: More formal, authoritative, and suited for business or professional settings.
3. I Want to Inform You
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- Meaning: To convey information, often used when sharing something that requires the recipient’s awareness.
- Best Use: When providing straightforward information, especially in emails or notices.
- Example: “I want to inform you that the meeting has been rescheduled to next week.”
- Tone: Neutral, clear, and to the point.
4. I’d Like to Mention
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- Meaning: A polite and less formal way to introduce an important detail.
- Best Use: In informal emails or discussions, especially when you want to keep the tone light.
- Example: “I’d like to mention that I will be out of the office tomorrow.”
- Tone: Friendly, approachable, and casual.
5. Let Me Draw Your Attention To
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- Meaning: To focus someone’s attention on something important or noteworthy.
- Best Use: Formal emails or official communications where you need to direct someone’s attention to a key point.
- Example: “Let me draw your attention to the attached file that contains the revised proposal.”
- Tone: Formal and directive.
6. I Would Like to Make You Aware Of
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- Meaning: A polite way to notify someone of something important they may not know.
- Best Use: When conveying updates or details that could impact the recipient.
- Example: “I would like to make you aware of the new changes in the company policy.”
- Tone: Formal and professional.
7. I Need to Let You Know
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- Meaning: To share essential information with someone.
- Best Use: Ideal for everyday business emails or casual notifications.
- Example: “I need to let you know that the project deadline has been pushed back.”
- Tone: Informal, but still polite.
8. Just to Inform You
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- Meaning: A straightforward way of delivering information without adding unnecessary complexity.
- Best Use: For simple updates or reminders.
- Example: “Just to inform you, the team meeting has been moved to the afternoon.”
- Tone: Neutral, clear, and direct.
9. Allow Me to Bring This to Your Attention
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- Meaning: A polite way to introduce something that requires attention.
- Best Use: In formal emails or letters, when you want to show respect and maintain politeness.
- Example: “Allow me to bring this to your attention before we move forward.”
- Tone: Polite and formal.
10. Please Take Note Of
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- Meaning: A polite way to highlight something that the reader should pay attention to.
- Best Use: When providing reminders or critical information.
- Example: “Please take note of the updated meeting time.”
- Tone: Formal but not too stiff.
11. I’d Like to Emphasize
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- Meaning: Used to highlight something with greater importance.
- Best Use: When you want to make a strong point or highlight something crucial.
- Example: “I’d like to emphasize that the deadline is non-negotiable.”
- Tone: Strong, authoritative, and formal.
12. I Want to Notify You
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- Meaning: A direct way of communicating a notification.
- Best Use: When delivering important or time-sensitive information.
- Example: “I want to notify you that your request has been approved.”
- Tone: Direct and professional.
13. Let Me Bring This Up
- Meaning: To introduce something for consideration or discussion.
- Best Use: In meetings or casual conversations when you want to start a conversation about something important.
- Example: “Let me bring this up during the meeting this afternoon.”
- Tone: Casual yet professional.
14. I’d Like to Share with You
- Meaning: A polite way to introduce new information you wish to disclose.
- Best Use: When offering new information or updates to a colleague or client.
- Example: “I’d like to share with you the results from the latest survey.”
- Tone: Friendly and informative.
15. I’d Like to Make Mention of
- Meaning: A soft, gentle way to introduce something that should be noticed.
- Best Use: When you want to mention something briefly without making it the focus of the conversation.
- Example: “I’d like to make mention of the changes in the project plan.”
- Tone: Polite and somewhat formal.
16. It’s Important to Mention
- Meaning: To emphasize that something should be noted due to its significance.
- Best Use: When bringing attention to crucial information or updates.
- Example: “It’s important to mention that the system update will cause some downtime.”
- Tone: Slightly formal, emphasizing the importance.
17. I Want to Alert You To
- Meaning: To notify someone about something that requires immediate attention.
- Best Use: When sharing urgent or time-sensitive information that needs prompt attention.
- Example: “I want to alert you to a potential security breach on the system.”
- Tone: Urgent and professional.
18. Just a Heads-Up
- Meaning: A casual and informal way to give a quick warning or reminder.
- Best Use: When giving a short notice about an upcoming event or action.
- Example: “Just a heads-up, the office will be closed on Friday.”
- Tone: Casual and friendly.
19. Please Be Aware Of
- Meaning: A polite way to ask someone to pay attention to important information.
- Best Use: When you want to make sure the other person acknowledges a point.
- Example: “Please be aware of the new deadlines for the project submissions.”
- Tone: Neutral and polite.
20. I Wish to Bring to Light
- Meaning: To make something visible or known, often something hidden or not well known.
- Best Use: When you want to reveal or expose a topic that needs attention.
- Example: “I wish to bring to light some of the challenges we’re facing with the current project.”
- Tone: Formal and serious.
21. I Want to Call Your Attention To
- Meaning: To direct someone’s focus to something specific.
- Best Use: When you want to make someone aware of a key detail.
- Example: “I want to call your attention to the recent changes in the budget.”
- Tone: Direct, formal, and focused.
22. I’d Like to Remind You
- Meaning: A gentle way to restate something for reinforcement.
- Best Use: When reminding someone about something they may have forgotten.
- Example: “I’d like to remind you that the report is due by Friday.”
- Tone: Polite and gentle.
23. I Want to Bring Up
- Meaning: To mention or introduce something for discussion or consideration.
- Best Use: When discussing a topic that needs attention in a meeting or conversation.
- Example: “I want to bring up the recent customer feedback we received.”
- Tone: Neutral and conversational.
24. I’d Like to Notify You About
- Meaning: To formally or politely inform someone of something relevant.
- Best Use: When conveying new or updated information.
- Example: “I’d like to notify you about the policy change regarding paid time off.”
- Tone: Formal and informative.
25. I Wish to Draw Your Attention To
- Meaning: To emphasize or bring focus to a specific issue.
- Best Use: For formal communication, especially in legal, business, or academic contexts.
- Example: “I wish to draw your attention to the attached financial report.”
- Tone: Formal, with an emphasis on importance.
26. I’d Like to Notify You Of
- Meaning: To inform someone of an important update or event.
- Best Use: When sharing important updates that may require action or acknowledgment.
- Example: “I’d like to notify you of the upcoming changes to the website.”
- Tone: Professional and clear.
27. I Want to Make You Conscious Of
- Meaning: To bring something to someone’s awareness or consciousness.
- Best Use: When pointing out something important or noteworthy that requires focus.
- Example: “I want to make you conscious of the recent security updates.”
- Tone: Formal and thoughtful.
28. Please Be Mindful Of
- Meaning: To ask someone to keep something in mind or be aware of it.
- Best Use: When offering a friendly reminder or alerting someone to something important.
- Example: “Please be mindful of the office etiquette during meetings.”
- Tone: Polite and considerate.
29. I’d Like to Inform You About
- Meaning: A straightforward and formal way to deliver important information.
- Best Use: When you need to notify someone of new or vital information.
- Example: “I’d like to inform you about the upcoming changes in the employee benefits program.”
- Tone: Neutral, professional, and clear.
30. I’d Like to Make You Aware Of
- Meaning: To let someone know about something important that they should understand.
- Best Use: When delivering an update or informing someone about an issue.
- Example: “I’d like to make you aware of the potential delays in shipment due to weather conditions.”
- Tone: Formal and polite.
Benefits of Using “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
The phrase “I wanted to bring to your attention” offers several advantages when used in communication. It’s not just about what you’re saying, but how you say it. Let’s explore the main benefits of using this polite, formal, and effective phrase in your English communication.
Politeness and Professionalism
When you use “I wanted to bring to your attention,” you convey a sense of respect for the other person’s time and attention. It’s a polite way to introduce information that might require action or focus. In a professional setting, politeness is essential, and using formal phrases like this helps maintain a respectful tone.
Imagine receiving an email with the subject line: “I wanted to bring to your attention the upcoming policy changes.” Instantly, you know that the information is important, and the tone is respectful. This approach helps establish a professional and courteous relationship with your recipients.
Why It Matters: In business, first impressions are important. Using polite phrases ensures your communication is perceived as thoughtful and professional.
Clear Communication
The primary goal of communication is to convey information clearly. The phrase “I wanted to bring to your attention” is an excellent way to highlight key points or important details without overwhelming the reader or listener. It sets the stage for what is to come and ensures that the recipient knows the information you are sharing is important.
For instance:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention that the payment deadline has changed.”
- “I wanted to bring to your attention the new safety procedures that need to be followed.”
In both cases, you’ve clearly communicated something important, using a phrase that signals importance without sounding too abrupt or harsh.
Why It Matters: When you’re communicating in professional or academic contexts, clarity is crucial. This phrase ensures that key information stands out.
Building Stronger Professional Relationships
Using formal phrases like “I wanted to bring to your attention” can help in building trust with colleagues, clients, or anyone in a professional setting. It shows that you value their time and want to make sure they are informed in a polite manner. This consideration goes a long way in establishing rapport.
Think about a scenario where you are working with a new client or team member:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention the details of our next project milestone.”
By phrasing things in a polite and formal way, you demonstrate professionalism and build a positive, respectful relationship with the other person.
Why It Matters: Strong professional relationships are built on clear, respectful communication. This phrase helps establish you as someone who values both communication and the person you’re addressing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While “I wanted to bring to your attention” is a helpful phrase, there are a few common mistakes that people often make. Let’s take a look at them so you can avoid these pitfalls and use the phrase correctly.
Overuse of Formal Phrases
Using too many formal phrases in your communication can make it sound stilted or insincere. While “I wanted to bring to your attention” is a useful phrase, try not to overuse it. Varying your language helps keep your communication sounding natural and engaging.
For example, you wouldn’t want every email to start with “I wanted to bring to your attention…” Instead, you can mix it up with alternatives like:
- “Just a quick note to let you know…”
- “I’d like to point out…”
- “Here’s something to keep in mind…”
Tip: Use the phrase when necessary, but also try to keep your writing or speaking varied and natural.
Misplacement in Sentences
Another common mistake is placing the phrase “I wanted to bring to your attention” in a spot where it doesn’t flow well within the sentence. For example, you wouldn’t say:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention, the report needs to be submitted tomorrow.”
This sounds awkward and doesn’t follow proper sentence structure. The correct phrasing would be:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention that the report needs to be submitted tomorrow.”
Tip: Always follow the phrase with the relevant information and ensure the sentence flows smoothly.
Using Too Many Synonyms
While it’s great to have a variety of expressions to choose from, using too many synonyms for “I wanted to bring to your attention” can make your writing seem repetitive or overly complicated. Choose the synonym that best fits the situation, and stick with it. For example, don’t use multiple variations in one email unless the tone or context calls for it.
Tip: Select one synonym for the situation and stick with it for consistency.
How to Practice Using “I Wanted to Bring to Your Attention”
The best way to become comfortable using “I wanted to bring to your attention” and its alternatives is through practice. Here are a few effective ways to get better at using this phrase in both written and spoken English.
Writing Practice
One great way to practice is by incorporating the phrase into emails, reports, and memos. Start by writing short emails where you need to notify someone about a specific issue or detail. Use the phrase to introduce the main point. For example:
- “I wanted to bring to your attention that the deadline for submission is next week.”
- “I wanted to bring to your attention the updates to the company’s privacy policy.”
This exercise will help you get used to using the phrase in the correct context and structure.
Tip: Try writing practice emails or memos that you might actually send in a professional environment.
Speaking Practice
The phrase is also useful in conversations, particularly in meetings or discussions where you need to highlight something important. Practice using the phrase in role-playing scenarios with a partner, or in your mind before meetings. For instance:
- “I just wanted to bring to your attention the key findings from today’s meeting.”
- “I wanted to bring to your attention the client feedback we received last week.”
Tip: Record yourself using the phrase in mock conversations to track your progress and improve fluency.
Listening to Native Speakers
Listening to native speakers can also help you practice the correct usage of this phrase. You can find examples in business podcasts, news broadcasts, or even YouTube videos that focus on business English. Pay attention to how they use phrases like “I wanted to bring to your attention” and its alternatives.
Tip: Listen to how professionals use similar phrases in real-world contexts and try to mimic their tone and style.
Conclusion
“I wanted to bring to your attention” is more than just a phrase—it’s a powerful tool for ensuring that your communication is clear, polite, and professional. By understanding how and when to use it, along with its many synonyms, you can improve both your written and spoken English in professional settings. Practice incorporating it into your emails, conversations, and written reports, and soon you’ll find yourself using it naturally and confidently.
So, whether you’re crafting an email to a colleague, delivering a presentation to a client, or simply keeping your boss informed, remember to use this phrase thoughtfully. Clear communication is key to building strong professional relationships, and this phrase is one of the simplest ways to make sure your message is received with the attention it deserves.
