Is it correct to use the phrase "pay attention" with "that"?

Is it correct to say "Pay attention that..."? or must I use "Pay attention to..."

For example: "An attention should be paid that this is a one-way street".

Solution 1:

Whilst it is difficult to fault 'Attention should be paid that this is a one-way street' as being ungrammatical, it would nonetheless be an unusual, and slightly clumsy way of putting it.

If it were me I would say one of the following depending on whether I was speaking, writing, putting up a notice etc:

'Please pay attention to this being a one-way street.'

'Please pay attention to the fact that this is a one way street.'

'Please pay attention. This is a one-way street'

'One way street. Please pay attention'.

'Attention please; this is a one-way street.'

'Please note that this is a one-way street'.

Solution 2:

You're using "pay attention" 2 different ways and I think that is muddying the waters a bit.

In transitive use you pay attention to something.

However there is also the intransitive use:

"Pay attention!"

So your second example (with the "an" removed, as @RegDwight noted)

"Attention should be paid that this is a one-way street".

Can also be stated:

"Attention should be paid. This is a one-way street".

In this case "attention" is not directly tied to "that". "That" is being used as a conjunction.