be ignored

USAGE SUMMARY

'be ignored' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something or someone that should not be paid attention to. For example: "Her pleas for help were quickly ignored and swept under the rug."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It should be ignored.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You'll just be ignored.

The New York Times

They cannot be ignored.

The New Yorker

Students cannot be ignored.

Independent

China can't be ignored.

The New York Times

But they cannot be ignored.

The Economist

But Kansas can't be ignored.

The New Yorker

But it can't be ignored.

The New Yorker

Fire regulations might be ignored.

The New York Times

"They should not be ignored.

The New York Times

Such groups cannot be ignored.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be ignored" when you want to emphasize that something or someone is deliberately or unintentionally not being paid attention to. This passive construction can highlight the lack of agency or influence of the subject.

Common error

Avoid using "be ignored" when the active voice is more appropriate. For instance, instead of "The warning was ignored by the company", consider "The company ignored the warning" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be ignored" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action of being ignored. This emphasizes that attention is being withheld. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

22%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be ignored" is a grammatically correct and very common passive verb phrase used to express that something or someone is not receiving attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science. When writing, consider whether the active or passive voice is more appropriate to emphasize either the actor or the recipient of the action. Related phrases like ""be disregarded"" and ""be overlooked"" can provide alternative ways to express similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be disregarded

Focuses on the act of dismissing something as unimportant.

be overlooked

Emphasizes the idea of something not being noticed.

be neglected

Highlights a lack of care or attention.

be dismissed

Implies a quick rejection or disregard.

be unheeded

Stresses that advice or warnings are not listened to.

be brushed aside

Conveys a sense of something being quickly and easily rejected.

be paid no attention

A more descriptive way of saying something is ignored.

be given short shrift

Suggests a brief and unsympathetic treatment.

be slighted

Indicates a feeling of being treated with disrespect or disregard.

be marginalized

Highlights the act of pushing something or someone to the edge or periphery.

FAQs

How can I use "be ignored" in a sentence?

You can use "be ignored" to indicate that something or someone is not being paid attention to. For example, "His pleas for help were likely to "be ignored" by the authorities".

What is a synonym for "be ignored"?

Synonyms for "be ignored" include "be overlooked", "be disregarded", and "be neglected". These phrases all suggest a lack of attention or consideration.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice when "be ignored" is involved?

The choice between active and passive voice depends on the context. If you want to emphasize the object being ignored, use the passive voice ("be ignored"). If you want to emphasize the actor doing the ignoring, use the active voice ("ignore").

What does it mean when someone says something "cannot be ignored"?

When someone says something "cannot "be ignored"", it means that it is important and requires attention. It implies that there will be negative consequences if it is not addressed.