Cool MateForget vs Ignore
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forget
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Forget
| Forget | Ignore | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈɡet/","/fəˈɡets/","/fəˈɡɒt/","/fəˈɡɒtn/","/fəˈɡetɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fərˈɡet/","/fərˈɡets/","/fərˈɡɑːt/","/fərˈɡɑːtn/","/fərˈɡetɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// |
| Meaning | To fail to remember something. | To pay no attention to something. |
| Example | I always forget where I put my keys. | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten, completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten, completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning |
| Antonyms | remember, recall | acknowledge, pay attention, notice |
| Common mistakes | 'Forget' is incorrectly used with a gerund (e.g., 'forget doing' instead of 'forget to do')., Confusing 'forget' with 'forgive' which have different meanings., Using 'forget' inappropriately in passive forms. | 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 | Use 'forget' in neutral contexts when discussing memory. Avoid in formal writing; consider 'neglect' or 'overlook' instead. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral; avoid in formal contexts where precise attention is needed. |
Frequently asked questions: Forget vs Ignore
What's the difference between Forget and Ignore?
Forget: To fail to remember something. Ignore: To pay no attention to something.
Which is more common: Forget and Ignore?
Forget is the most common in everyday English.
Are Forget and Ignore the same CEFR level?
Forget: A1, Ignore: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Forget and Ignore interchangeably?
Not always. Forget 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.