to ignore

USAGE SUMMARY

"to ignore" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea of not responding to, or paying attention to something or someone. For example: "I chose to ignore his criticism and move on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're impossible to ignore.

The New York Times - Magazine

It's hard to ignore it.

The New York Times - Sports

He was difficult to ignore.

The New York Times - Sports

"They learn to ignore them".

The New York Times

"We chose to ignore that".

The New York Times - Travel

Best to ignore all that.

The New York Times - Arts

Washington opted to ignore it.

The New Yorker

I tried to ignore it.

The New Yorker

Impossible to ignore.

The Guardian - Books

We just choose to ignore them.

The New Yorker

There is a tendency to ignore things".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to ignore" when you want to convey a deliberate decision to not pay attention to something. It's suitable for situations where active disregard is intended.

Common error

Be mindful not to use "to ignore" when you mean a genuine lack of awareness. Ignoring implies a conscious choice, while unawareness suggests a lack of knowledge or perception.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to ignore" is as an infinitive verb phrase, often used as part of a larger verb construction. It expresses the action of deliberately disregarding something, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to ignore" is a versatile and frequently used infinitive phrase that signifies a conscious decision to not pay attention to something. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts, particularly in news, general writing, and scientific discourse. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances like deliberate dismissal ("to disregard") or unintentional oversight ("to overlook"). Using "to ignore" effectively involves ensuring it accurately reflects a conscious choice rather than simple unawareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to disregard completely

Emphasizes the totality of the act of ignoring something. Adds a sense of finality.

to disregard

Implies a conscious decision to dismiss something as unimportant or irrelevant. It adds a layer of judgment absent in "to ignore".

to pay no attention to

A more descriptive way of saying "to ignore", lacks the directness and simplicity of the original phrase. Slightly verbose.

to take no notice of

Similar to "pay no attention to", but with a slightly more formal tone. Emphasizes the act of noticing or observing.

to overlook

Suggests a failure to notice something, either intentionally or unintentionally. The nuance shifts from a deliberate act to a potential oversight.

to brush aside

Implies dismissing something quickly and without serious consideration. Adds a sense of impatience or disregard.

to neglect

Indicates a failure to care for or attend to something properly, which can overlap with ignoring but emphasizes a responsibility.

to discount

To reduce the importance of something. Adds a layer of devaluation.

to turn a blind eye

Implies a deliberate act of ignoring something, often something wrong or inappropriate, for personal gain or convenience. The tone is more critical.

to snub

Involves treating someone with disdain or contempt, more personal and potentially hurtful than simply ignoring.

FAQs

How do I use "to ignore" in a sentence?

You can use "to ignore" to indicate a deliberate decision not to pay attention to something. For example, "I chose "to ignore" the negative comments".

What can I say instead of "to ignore"?

You can use alternatives like "to disregard", "to overlook", or "to neglect" depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "to ignore"?

"To ignore" is appropriate when you deliberately choose not to acknowledge or respond to something. It implies a conscious decision to disregard something.

What's the difference between "to ignore" and "to neglect"?

"To ignore" implies a deliberate decision not to pay attention, whereas "to neglect" suggests a failure to care for or attend to something, often due to carelessness or irresponsibility. "To neglect" implies a duty of care that is not being met.