Don't pay heed to temptation vs Ignore
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't pay heed to temptation
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Ignore
| Don't pay heed to temptation | Ignore | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt peɪ hiːd tʊ tɛmˈteɪʃən//🇺🇸 //doʊnt peɪ hiːd tʊ tɛmˈteɪʃən// | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// |
| Meaning | Don't listen to something that tries to make you do wrong. | To pay no attention to something. |
| Example | You should **don't pay heed to temptation** when dieting. | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | pay heed to advice, temptation of wealth, fall into temptation, resist temptation | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning |
| Antonyms | - | acknowledge, pay attention, notice |
| Common mistakes | Using 'heed' incorrectly as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'temptation' with similar-sounding words., Omitting 'don't' and changing the meaning to a positive suggestion. | Confused with 'neglect' - ignoring implies a choice, neglecting may imply carelessness., Misused in passive forms - typically, ignore is active., Incorrect tense forms - ensure correct past or continuous forms. |
| Usage notes | This phrase is best used in cautionary contexts, often in moral or ethical discussions. It isn't formal but should be avoided in casual or joking conversations. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral; avoid in formal contexts where precise attention is needed. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't pay heed to temptation vs Ignore
What's the difference between Don't pay heed to temptation and Ignore?
Don't pay heed to temptation: Don't listen to something that tries to make you do wrong. Ignore: To pay no attention to something.
Which is more common: Don't pay heed to temptation and Ignore?
Ignore is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't pay heed to temptation: You should **don't pay heed to temptation** when dieting. Ignore: She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates.
Can I use Don't pay heed to temptation and Ignore interchangeably?
Not always. Don't pay heed to temptation and Ignore are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.