Ignore

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Ignore" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to disregard or not pay attention to something mentioned previously. Example: "If the previous instructions are unclear, please ignore them and follow the new guidelines provided."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He should have added, for any voters distracted by the recent Lynton Crosby-led mind games, that a coalition of the Tories and UKIP – formal or not – will ignore Scotland, however strong the SNP, as it heads towards exit from the EU.

The Guardian

And since you're now coming anyway, here are some tips of what else to see, bearing in mind everything on the programme looks good and mad and free: As they are hosting the party, it would be rude to ignore Everything Everything.

The Guardian

It was impossible to ignore the basic point that, were Ayr even slightly more competent, they would punish Hibs' inadequacy.

The Guardian - Sport

Dictators (elected or not) always ignore everyone who's not a member of the ruling clique.

The Guardian

You listen to us all, and ignore us all: very egalitarian; very democratic.

The Guardian

We ignore or disbelieve statistics that recent years have seen more jobs, less crime, smaller classes and more NHS operations.

The Guardian - Opinion

I know he'll ignore it, even if a million nude teachers, with high blood-pressure, were to crowd into parliament begging and screaming for smaller classes, but I'll say it again and again.

The Guardian

But we cannot ignore the context in which these powers are being redistributed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nigel Farage had been expected to grab between 75 and 100 extra councillors at best, but added nearly 130. Labour MPs and activists, who had tried largely to ignore Ukip's impending arrival as the fourth party in British politics, veered between admitting that it had been hit and that Ed Miliband had to do better, and trying to dismiss Ukip as still so small as to be largely irrelevant.

The Guardian

If your government allows Mr al-Khawaja to die in prison, it will send a stark message that it means to ignore the most important recommendations of the BICI report.

The Guardian - Opinion

Shorten criticised Abbott's reaction to the parliamentary questions, saying the prime minister was "entering dangerous territory if he continues to ignore his chief economic adviser like this".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignore" when you want to convey a deliberate decision to not acknowledge something. Be mindful of the context to ensure it doesn't imply negligence or a lack of responsibility.

Common error

Avoid confusing the verb "ignore" with the noun "ignorance". "Ignore" means to deliberately not pay attention, while "ignorance" refers to a lack of knowledge or information.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Ignore" is as a transitive verb, requiring a direct object. It indicates a deliberate act of disregarding or paying no attention to something. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "Ignore" is a versatile term signifying the intentional act of disregarding or paying no attention to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently used, particularly in news and media, but also in formal and scientific contexts. While alternatives like ""disregard"", "overlook", and "neglect" exist, "Ignore" offers a direct and widely understood way to convey the act of consciously not acknowledging something. Remember to avoid confusing it with the noun "ignorance", and use it judiciously, especially when the context requires responsibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disregard

Formal synonym for paying no attention to something.

Overlook

To fail to notice something.

Neglect

To fail to care for properly.

Pay no attention to

A more descriptive way of saying ignore.

Turn a blind eye to

To pretend not to notice something, often something wrong.

Take no notice of

To not give something your attention.

Disregard completely

Emphasizes the thoroughness of ignoring.

Dismiss

To treat something as unworthy of consideration.

Bypass

To go past or around something.

Brush aside

To dismiss something quickly and without serious consideration.

FAQs

How do I use "Ignore" in a sentence?

The word "Ignore" functions as a verb, meaning to deliberately pay no attention to something. For example, "Please "disregard" the previous message and follow these new instructions."

What can I say instead of "Ignore"?

You can use alternatives like ""disregard"", "overlook", or "neglect" depending on the context.

Is it ever appropriate to "Ignore" feedback?

While it's generally advisable to consider feedback, there are situations where it's acceptable to "ignore" it, such as when the feedback is irrelevant, malicious, or unproductive. Always prioritize constructive criticism, however.

What's the difference between "Ignore" and "Neglect"?

"Ignore" implies a conscious decision to not pay attention to something, whereas "neglect" suggests a failure to care for something properly. "Ignore" is about attention; "neglect" is about responsibility.