we were ignoring

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we were ignoring" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where a group of people is deliberately not paying attention to something or someone. Example: "Despite the loud noise outside, we were ignoring it and focusing on our conversation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

We were ignoring our issues at the exact time that we should have been confronting them.

The New York Times

"While people were so angry about Trump making racist statements, we were ignoring the stuff happening under the Democrats and under the Obama administration".

The Guardian

"A lot of people think while Republican governors were attacking fiscal issues we were ignoring social issues - that's not right," Mr. Barbour told the Conservative Political Action Conference.

The New York Times

But when the woman realized we were ignoring her, she became furious and screamed, "Don't you speak English?" I kept silent while my friend, in her softest native French, feigned Oscar-worthy incomprehension.

The New York Times

My wife, Lara, and I, for better or worse, were the same old us, doing what we typically do when the world shakes us up -- we were ignoring each other.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We were ignoring them until we couldn't afford it," Spiegel said, adding that many VCs had reached out to them about funding.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Then we were ignored.

The New Yorker

"We were ignored completely," he said.

The Guardian

Which isn't to say we were ignored.

The New York Times

Mostly, we were ignored and dismissed as leftist cranks.

The New York Times

I said, 'Could I please have a glass of ale?,' and we were ignored.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we were ignoring" to clearly indicate a past situation where attention or action was consciously withheld. Ensure context provides clarity on what was being ignored and the consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "we were ignoring" when the situation involves unintentional oversight. If the lack of attention was accidental, consider phrases like "we overlooked" or "we missed" for better accuracy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were ignoring" functions as a verb phrase indicating a past continuous action of deliberately disregarding something. Ludwig AI provides examples in various contexts showing its usage. The auxiliary verbs "were" and the main verb "ignoring" contribute to expressing the ongoing nature of the action in the past.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

16%

Huffington Post

10%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

The New Yorker

2%

The Guardian - Lifestyle

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were ignoring" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase indicating a deliberate lack of attention in the past. As evidenced by Ludwig AI, the phrase appears across various contexts, from news media to scientific publications. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, but can carry connotations of regret or criticism. When selecting alternative phrases, consider nuances such as unintentional oversight ("we overlooked") versus conscious disregard ("we disregarded").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we were neglecting

Focuses on a lack of care or attention, similar to ignoring.

we were overlooking

Emphasizes missing something important, a type of ignoring.

we were disregarding

Highlights a conscious decision to not consider something.

we were paying no attention to

More descriptive, but conveys the same lack of focus.

we were turning a blind eye to

Suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something problematic.

we were not heeding

Indicates a failure to take notice of a warning or advice.

we were shirking

Suggests a failure to fulfill an obligation or duty.

we were glossing over

Highlights a superficial treatment of an issue, implying neglect.

we were brushing aside

Implies a dismissive attitude toward something.

we were failing to recognize

Emphasizes a lack of awareness or understanding.

FAQs

What does "we were ignoring" mean?

The phrase "we were ignoring" indicates that a group of people (represented by "we") were deliberately not paying attention to something or someone in the past. It implies a conscious decision to disregard or overlook something.

How can I use "we were ignoring" in a sentence?

You can use "we were ignoring" to describe situations where attention was consciously withheld. For example, "We were ignoring the warning signs, which led to significant problems later on."

What can I say instead of "we were ignoring"?

You can use alternatives like "we were neglecting", "we were overlooking", or "we were disregarding" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "we were ignoring" and "we didn't notice"?

"We were ignoring" implies a conscious decision to not pay attention, whereas "we didn't notice" suggests a lack of awareness or unintentional oversight. The first is active, while the second is passive.