Interest vs Attention: Difference and Comparison

Interest and attention are two English words with distinct meanings. These words are often used interchangeably by most people but is it proper to do so? Here is an article that provides the meaning of both words (interest vs attention) and their differences.

The term “interest” has different meanings in the English dictionary. As a noun, it refers to the price paid received for providing money or goods in a credit transaction.

Interest also refers to the great attention and concern from someone or something.

In contrast, the word “attention” refers to mental focus. Or an action or remark of expressing concern for or interest in someone or something.

What Is the Meaning of Interest?

The word “interest” can be used in different contexts to give meanings. The English dictionary defines the term “interest” as the price paid for obtaining, or the price received for providing money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as the fraction of the amount or value of the amount borrowed.

As a verb, the term “interest” means to attract or concern. It also refers to the attention that is given to or received from someone or something.

Being inquisitive is likely to make us become interested in someone or something. We become interested in someone or something because we want to know more than the ordinary.

Interest is a common term used in the financial sector. It’s a word that financial institutions and business owners are familiar with.

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Etymology

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary states that the term “interest” is from Middle English “interesse”, from Anglo-French and Medieval Latin.

The word “interest’ was first used in the 15^th century.

Interest vs Attention: Understanding Interest

A word that borrowers and lenders are familiar with since it’s an advantage for the lender giving out funds to the borrower.

According to Investopedia.com, interest is the monetary charge for borrowing money. It’s the amount of money a lender or financial institution receives for lending money to a borrower for a specific period of time.

Interest in this context can also refer to the amount of ownership a stakeholder has in a company- often expressed as a percentage.

It’s the simple concept of compensating one party for lending out money, risking and sacrificing the chance to utilize those funds and penalizing another party for using the lender’s funds.

The lender is entitled to compensation, while the borrower using the money for the given period of time is required to pay the compensation.

For example, the money in your savings account yields an interest. You receive interest from your savings account because the bank uses your money as loans. They lend it to other clients and in return, you earn an interest.

The amount that the borrower must pay as interest depends on factors such as creditworthiness, the nature of the loan, or the length of the loan.

What Is the Meaning of Attention?

As a noun, the term “attention” refers to an action or remark expressing concern for or interest in someone or something, especially romantic interest. The word “attention” also refers to the state of alertness in the standing position.

Those in the military are familiar with the word “attention” because it’s used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.

Attention refers to the mental focus on what is important and things we find interesting.

For instance, we pay attention while in the classroom, especially when the teacher introduces a topic that we are personally interested in. We can also focus our attention on people we love or indulge.

If it requires your attention, then you should avoid any form of distraction. When someone is reading an interesting book, their attention is drawn to what they are reading at that moment.

They will avoid any form of distraction and will only pay attention to any other topic or matter of great importance.

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Etymology

According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the term “attention” has its origin from Middle English “attencioun”, from Latin “attention” “attentio” from “attendere”.

Interest vs Attention: Difference between Interest and Attention

Attention and interest are two English words with different meanings.

The term “interest” has different meanings in the English dictionary.

The English dictionary defines the term “interest” as the price paid for obtaining, or the price received for providing money or goods in a credit transaction, calculated as the fraction of the amount or value of the amount borrowed.

It’s the simple concept of compensating one party for lending out money, risking and sacrificing the chance to utilize those funds and penalizing another party for using the lender’s funds.

The amount that the borrower must pay as interest is depends on factors such as creditworthiness, the nature of the loan, or the length of the loan.

In contrast, attention refers to an action or remark expressing concern for or interest in someone or something, especially romantic interest. The word “attention” also refers to the state of alertness in the standing position.

Those in the military are familiar with the word “attention” because it’s used as a command to bring soldiers to the attention position.

Interest vs Attention: More Differences

Being inquisitive is likely to make us become interested in someone or something. We become interested in someone or something because we want to know more than the ordinary.
It’s the amount of money you receive from your savings account because the bank uses your money as loans. They lend it to other clients and in return, you earn an interest.
The lender is entitled to compensation, while the borrower using the money for the given period of time is required to pay the compensation.
Attention refers to the mental focus on what is important and things we find interesting.
If it requires your attention, then you should avoid any form of distraction. When someone is reading an interesting book, their attention is drawn to what they are reading at that moment.

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Interest vs Attention: Examples of Sentences with Interest and Attention

Let’s look at some examples of sentences with “interest” and “attention”.

Simple Sentences with Interest

Michael pursued his interest in information technology by enrolling in a vocational school.
Marlon invested a huge amount of money in the stock market to earn interest.
He was eligible as a business owner to take a loan from the bank but the interest rate was an issue for him to take the loan.
Maria has a keen interest in music.
The bank is ready to give out loans to small business owners but the interest rate is 15%.

Simple Sentences with Attention

The teacher commanded the student’s attention with her story.
He wasn’t paying attention when the instruction was given to the group.
It was an important topic for the class, so every student had to pay attention to the teacher.
He doesn’t pay attention while in class and I doubt he will make good grades.
Lucy tried to get her friend’s attention by waving her hands.

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Conclusion

Attention and interest are two different with different meanings.

Being inquisitive is likely to make us become interested in someone or something. We become interested in someone or something because we want to know more than the ordinary.

Attention refers to the mental focus on what is important and things we find interesting.

Interest vs Attention: Difference and Comparison