can be ignored

USAGE SUMMARY

"can be ignored" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that will not have a negative effect if it is ignored. For example, "The minor details of the plan can be ignored."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Neither can be ignored".

The New York Times

It can be ignored no longer".

The New York Times

Clinically, conduction can be ignored.

Current Anaesthesia & Critical Care

The thermal effect can be ignored.

Catalysis Today

None of this can be ignored.

The Guardian - Opinion

All suggestions can be ignored when necessary.

The New York Times - Books

The warning is benign and can be ignored.

Harvard University

Ideas without any credible intellectual grounding can be ignored.

Princeton University

The solvent effect can be ignored for hydrogen bonds.

Polymer

That doesn't mean the effort can be ignored.

The New York Times

Use Groupon's arithmetic and this cost can be ignored.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "can be ignored", ensure the context clearly indicates why the subject is unimportant or irrelevant to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "can be ignored" for elements that are inherently trivial or already understood to be unimportant; focus on instances where ignoring something requires a conscious decision or justification.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can be ignored" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating permission or possibility, specifically that something is permissible to disregard. As Ludwig AI shows, this phrase is used across diverse contexts, from science to media, indicating that the subject is not critical to the outcome or understanding.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

40%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "can be ignored" is a versatile expression indicating that something is not essential or relevant. As determined by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across diverse fields like science, news, and academia. While primarily neutral in tone, it's crucial to ensure the context clearly justifies why something "can be ignored" to avoid misunderstanding. Related phrases such as "may be disregarded" or "is negligible" offer more formal alternatives. Remember to avoid stating the obvious and use the phrase judiciously to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may be disregarded

Replaces "ignored" with "disregarded", implying a more formal or deliberate act of overlooking something.

could be omitted

Substitutes "ignored" with "omitted", suggesting something is intentionally left out or excluded.

is negligible

Replaces the entire phrase with an adjective indicating something is too small or unimportant to consider.

is not worth considering

Expands on the idea of ignoring by explicitly stating that something lacks value or importance.

does not warrant attention

Emphasizes that something does not deserve focus or concern.

need not be taken into account

Formally states that something does not need to be included in calculations or considerations.

is of no consequence

Highlights the lack of importance or impact of something.

is inconsequential

Uses a single word to describe something as unimportant or trivial.

presents no issue

Indicates that something does not cause problems or require action.

is beside the point

Suggests something is irrelevant to the current discussion or situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "can be ignored" in a more formal context?

In formal settings, consider alternatives like "may be disregarded", "need not be considered", or "is negligible" for a more professional tone.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "can be ignored"?

Use "can be ignored" when referring to something that does not significantly impact the outcome or decision, and its absence or omission won't cause any adverse effects. For example, "The rounding errors in this calculation "can be ignored"."

What's the difference between "can be ignored" and "should be ignored"?

"Can be ignored" implies that something may be disregarded without consequence, while "should be ignored" suggests it's advisable or necessary to disregard it, potentially due to negative impacts if considered. The phrase "should be ignored" signals a stronger recommendation.

What are some less common synonyms for "can be ignored"?

Less common alternatives include "is inconsequential", "is beside the point", or "does not warrant attention", which can add variety to your writing but may also be more context-specific.