Cool MateIgnore vs Let too many things go by
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Let too many things go by
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Ignore
| Ignore | Let too many things go by | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// | 🇬🇧 //lɛt tuː ˈmɛni θɪŋz ɡoʊ baɪ//🇺🇸 //lɛt tuː ˈmɛni θɪŋz ɡoʊ baɪ// |
| Meaning | To pay no attention to something. | To overlook or ignore too many things. |
| Example | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. | If we let too many things go by, we might miss our chance for success. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning | let opportunities go by, let chances go by, let moments go by |
| Antonyms | acknowledge, pay attention, notice | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confusing with 'let too few things go by'., Using in overly formal writing., Misplacing the context of action versus inaction. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral; avoid in formal contexts where precise attention is needed. | This phrase is often used in casual conversation when discussing missed opportunities or being passive. It may not be suitable for very formal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ignore vs Let too many things go by
What's the difference between Ignore and Let too many things go by?
Ignore: To pay no attention to something. Let too many things go by: To overlook or ignore too many things.
Which is more common: Ignore and Let too many things go by?
Ignore is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Ignore: She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. Let too many things go by: If we let too many things go by, we might miss our chance for success.
Can I use Ignore and Let too many things go by interchangeably?
Not always. Ignore and Let too many things go by 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.