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

When using "ignore", ensure it's clear what is being ignored and why. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your message.

Common error

While "ignore" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound dismissive. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "disregard" or "overlook" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The verb "ignore" functions primarily to express the act of deliberately not paying attention to something. Ludwig shows this in numerous examples from sources like The Guardian, where decisions to "ignore" facts, recommendations, or warnings are discussed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The verb "ignore" is a common and versatile word used to describe the act of deliberately not paying attention to something. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. Its communicative purpose is to convey a choice to disregard or overlook something, often implying a rejection of its importance. While its register is neutral, it is frequently found in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific contexts. To enhance your writing, consider varying your vocabulary with synonyms such as "disregard" or "overlook" to avoid sounding repetitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Disregard

Focuses on dismissing something as unimportant.

Overlook

Implies missing something, often unintentionally.

Pay no attention to

A more explicit way of saying "ignore", emphasizing the act of not focusing.

Turn a blind eye to

Suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something, often something wrong.

Brush aside

Indicates dismissing something quickly and without much thought.

Take no notice of

Similar to "pay no attention to", but slightly more formal.

Neglect

Implies a failure to care for or attend to something.

Dismiss

To treat something as unworthy of serious consideration.

Bypass

To go around or avoid something, often a rule or procedure.

Disregard the importance of

Emphasizes the act of undervaluing something when choosing to ignore.

FAQs

How do you use "ignore" in a sentence?

You can use "ignore" to indicate a deliberate choice not to pay attention to something. For example, "He chose to ignore the warning signs."

What can I say instead of "ignore"?

You can use alternatives like "disregard", "overlook", or "pay no attention to" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the word "ignore"?

It's appropriate to use "ignore" when you want to convey that someone is deliberately not paying attention to something, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

Is there a difference between "ignore" and "disregard"?

"Ignore" often implies a conscious decision not to notice something, while "disregard" suggests that something is dismissed as unimportant or irrelevant.