I was ignoring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was ignoring" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a past action where you deliberately chose not to pay attention to something or someone. Example: "During the meeting, I was ignoring the distractions around me to focus on the presentation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

For others, I was ignoring the obvious.

The Guardian - Business

Or those who simply thought I was ignoring them?

Independent

Didn't want you to think that I was ignoring you.

The New Yorker

But what I realised was that I was ignoring other levels of need.

The Guardian

I'd made everyone feel, and now I was ignoring those feelings.

The Guardian - Books

And getting miffed and increasingly angry emails from friends and others who wondered why I was ignoring them.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

For simplicity, the time index i is ignored in the following analysis.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

I was ignored.

The New Yorker

Again, I was ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was ignored or told to be patient.

The Guardian - Money

"I was ignored throughout the '80s," he says.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was ignoring" to clearly state you were consciously not paying attention to something. This is useful when explaining past oversights or decisions.

Common error

Avoid using "I was ignoring" when you actually mean you were unaware of something. "I overlooked" or "I didn't notice" are better choices for unintentional oversights.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was ignoring" functions as a past continuous tense verb phrase. Ludwig AI indicates that it's a grammatically correct construction used to describe an ongoing action of deliberately not paying attention to something or someone.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was ignoring" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in the English language. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and examples indicate its common usage in News & Media, and Science. It denotes a deliberate past action of not paying attention. While the phrase is generally neutral, Ludwig suggests considering context-specific synonyms for heightened formality or precision. When writing, ensure this is used when you were actually aware and consciously ignoring something, not simply unaware of it. Related phrases like "I disregarded" and "I overlooked" can provide alternative ways to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I disregarded

Emphasizes a conscious decision to dismiss or pay no attention.

I paid no attention to

A more explicit and straightforward way of saying "I was ignoring".

I overlooked

Implies failing to notice or consider something, often unintentionally.

I neglected

Highlights a failure to care for or attend to something properly.

I turned a blind eye to

Suggests a deliberate act of ignoring something one knows to be wrong or undesirable.

I brushed aside

Indicates a dismissive way of dealing with something.

I wasn't heeding

Highlights a failure to listen to or follow advice or warnings.

I sidelined

Suggests something was put in a less important position or given less attention.

I shunned

Implies a deliberate avoidance of something or someone.

I rejected

Indicates a refusal to accept or consider something.

FAQs

How can I use "I was ignoring" in a sentence?

Use "I was ignoring" to indicate a past action where you deliberately chose not to pay attention to something or someone. For instance: "During the presentation, "I was ignoring" the background noise to focus on the speaker".

What can I say instead of "I was ignoring"?

You can use alternatives like "I disregarded", "I overlooked", or "I paid no attention to" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I was ignoring" or "I ignored"?

Both "I was ignoring" and "I ignored" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "I was ignoring" implies a continuous action in the past, while "I ignored" suggests a completed action. The choice depends on the specific context you want to convey.

What's the difference between "I was ignoring" and "I didn't notice"?

"I was ignoring" implies a conscious decision to not pay attention, while "I didn't notice" suggests a lack of awareness. If you were aware of something but chose to disregard it, use ""I was ignoring"". If you were simply unaware, use "I didn't notice".