ignoring messages

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ignoring messages" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of not responding to or acknowledging messages. Example: "He was ignoring messages from his colleagues." Alternative expressions include "disregarding messages" and "overlooking messages."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

This deals with the situation where the app is ignoring messages (e.g. because it forgot to end a critical section).

University of California, Berkeley

Here came healing, here came justice, and as nice as all of that sounded, Diamond soon began ignoring messages and staying off her Facebook page.

The Washington Post

Time-honored safety practices, like ignoring messages asking for personal information and not clicking links in messages (unless you know the sender and the link is obviously to an entertainment or news site) are also advised.

The New York Times

They were getting every customer service e-mail and ignoring messages from their VCs.

Forbes

The question is: How many of those 200,000 people are actually engaging with Everyme, rather than just ignoring messages from the app?

TechCrunch

David hadn't been ignoring messages.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Most ignored messages asking if they could provide a vegetarian meal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But many people, men and women, assume they are not at risk and ignore messages about prevention.

The New York Times - Health

The conductor must develop an instant rapport with his players, since musicians ignore messages they feel are wrong, irrelevant, or unclear.

The New Yorker

Judge Thokozile Masipa, who presided over the murder trial, decided to ignore messages in which Steenkamp talked about the athlete's volatile moods and said she was sometimes afraid of him.

Independent

You might have a few dozen ignored messages, but eventually, someone will respond.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ignoring messages" when you want to emphasize the act of consciously or unconsciously not paying attention to communications. If the focus is on a deliberate choice to not respond, consider "not responding to messages".

Common error

Avoid using "ignoring messages" when the intent is to convey that messages were not received or noticed due to circumstances like technical issues or high workload. In such cases, "missing messages" or "overlooking messages" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ignoring messages" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun. It describes the act of not paying attention to or responding to messages, as seen in Ludwig examples where people are either choosing to ignore messages or programs are designed to ignore specific types of messages. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical function.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

21%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

9%

Academia

9%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ignoring messages" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase that describes the act of not paying attention to or responding to communications. Ludwig AI underlines that this expression is commonly used in neutral contexts like news, but it can also appear in more formal or informal settings. Its meaning is generally clear, although it is essential to consider the professional implications of ignoring messages, as doing so can be interpreted negatively. Related phrases, such as "not responding to communications" or "disregarding communications", may be more appropriate depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not responding to communications

Focuses on the act of not providing a reply.

disregarding messages

Focuses on not giving importance to messages

disregarding communications

Focuses on not considering the content of the messages.

avoiding messages

Highlights the act of staying away from incoming communications.

overlooking notifications

Emphasizes missing or failing to notice the messages.

neglecting correspondence

Highlights a lack of attention to communication duties.

bypassing notifications

Implies skipping over or avoiding the notifications.

paying no attention to messages

Explicitly states a lack of focus on the messages.

dismissing correspondence

Implies a rejection or disregard of the messages.

shunning communications

Suggests deliberately avoiding interaction via messages.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "ignoring messages" in a professional context?

In a formal setting, consider using phrases like "not responding to messages", "delaying response", or "unable to respond immediately" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is there a difference between "ignoring messages" and "avoiding messages"?

"Ignoring messages" can imply a lack of attention or a deliberate choice not to respond, while "avoiding messages" suggests actively staying away from communications, possibly due to discomfort or unwillingness to engage.

What are the implications of "ignoring messages" in customer service?

In customer service, "ignoring messages" can lead to customer dissatisfaction, damage to brand reputation, and loss of business. It's crucial to acknowledge and address customer inquiries promptly, even if a full resolution isn't immediately possible.

When is it acceptable to "ignore messages"?

It may be acceptable to "ignore messages" in situations involving spam, harassment, or when boundaries need to be set to protect one's mental health. However, consider the potential consequences before ignoring important communications from colleagues, family, or service providers.