ignore it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ignore it" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when advising someone to disregard a particular issue or comment. For example, "If the criticism bothers you, just ignore it." Alternative expressions include "disregard it" and "overlook it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ignore it.

Harvard University

"Don't ignore it.

Harvard University

Just ignore it!

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Largely they ignore it.

University of California, Berkeley

Do not ignore it.

Princeton University

So people ignore it.

University of California, Berkeley

Do we ignore it?

Yale University

"Education can't ignore it".

The New York Times

Just ignore it, superstar.

The New York Times

Honestly, I ignore it.

The New Yorker

And ignore it".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “ignore it” when you want to directly advise someone to disregard a comment, action, or piece of information, especially when it might be distracting or irrelevant. For example, “If someone is rude online, just "ignore it".”

Common error

While “ignore it” is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, it can sound too informal or dismissive in professional or academic writing. Opt for alternatives like “disregard this” or “do not consider” to maintain a more serious tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignore it" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing someone to disregard or pay no attention to something. This is consistent with Ludwig's examples, where it's used to advise or dismiss concerns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

24%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ignore it" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its primary function as an imperative, advising the listener or reader to disregard something. While its tone is generally neutral to informal, it's prevalent in news, academic, and wiki sources. For more formal settings, alternatives like "disregard it" or "do not consider" may be more appropriate. The phrase scores high in expert rating due to its correct usage and authoritative sourcing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disregard it

A more formal way to say "ignore it".

disregard that

Alternative of disregard it using demonstrative pronoun.

pay no attention to it

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to not focus on something.

overlook it

Suggests a willingness to let something pass without addressing it.

brush it off

Implies dismissing something as unimportant.

don't mind it

Suggests indifference towards something.

never mind it

Indicates that something is not worth considering.

let it go

Suggests releasing concern or worry about something.

turn a blind eye to it

Indicates a conscious decision to ignore something, often something wrong.

don't sweat it

Informal way to tell someone not to worry about something.

FAQs

What does "ignore it" mean?

“Ignore it” means to pay no attention to something, to disregard it, or to refuse to take it into consideration. It's a direct way of telling someone to not let something bother them.

When is it appropriate to use "ignore it"?

It’s appropriate to use “ignore it” in informal settings when you want to quickly advise someone to disregard something. However, in more formal contexts, alternatives like "disregard it" or "overlook it" may be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "ignore it"?

You can use alternatives like "disregard it", "pay no attention to it", or "overlook it" depending on the context and level of formality you want to convey.

Is "ignore it" too informal for professional communication?

Yes, “ignore it” can be too informal for professional communication. In business or academic settings, consider using phrases such as "disregard this" or "do not consider" to maintain a more professional tone.