Cool MateIgnore vs They talk when they should listen
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
They talk when they should listen
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Ignore
| Ignore | They talk when they should listen | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// | 🇬🇧 //ðeɪ tɔːk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən//🇺🇸 //ðeɪ tɔk wɛn ðeɪ ʃʊd ˈlɪsən// |
| Meaning | To pay no attention to something. | Talking instead of listening in a conversation. |
| Example | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. | In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback. |
| 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 | talk instead of listen, should listen, ignore advice, poor listening skills, many people talk |
| 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. | Mixing up 'talk' with 'speak'—'talk' is more informal., Using the phrase incorrectly in the past tense—remember it's a present observation., Overgeneralizing by saying 'they always talk' without the listening context. |
| 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 discussions about communication. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, especially in addressing poor listening skills. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ignore vs They talk when they should listen
What's the difference between Ignore and They talk when they should listen?
Ignore: To pay no attention to something. They talk when they should listen: Talking instead of listening in a conversation.
Which is more common: Ignore and They talk when they should listen?
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. They talk when they should listen: In meetings, they talk when they should listen to feedback.
Can I use Ignore and They talk when they should listen interchangeably?
Not always. Ignore and They talk when they should listen 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.