Cool MateIgnore vs You can't sweep that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
You can't sweep that
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: IgnoreMost common: Ignore
| Ignore | You can't sweep that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// | 🇬🇧 //jʊ kɑːnt swiːp ðæt//🇺🇸 //jʊ kænt swiːp ðæt// |
| Meaning | To pay no attention to something. | You cannot ignore or avoid that issue. |
| Example | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. | You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning | sweep under the rug, sweep aside concerns, sweep away issues |
| 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. | Confused about the context; might use in formal situations., Misunderstands the meaning; thinks it literally refers to cleaning. |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral; avoid in formal contexts where precise attention is needed. | Used in casual conversations to indicate that something must be acknowledged or dealt with. It’s often said when someone tries to overlook a problem. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ignore vs You can't sweep that
What's the difference between Ignore and You can't sweep that?
Ignore: To pay no attention to something. You can't sweep that: You cannot ignore or avoid that issue.
Which is more formal: Ignore and You can't sweep that?
Ignore is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Ignore and You can't sweep that?
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. You can't sweep that: You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem.
Can I use Ignore and You can't sweep that interchangeably?
Not always. Ignore and You can't sweep that 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.