Cool MateNeglect vs Slip your mind
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Neglect
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Slip your mind
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: NeglectMost common: Neglect
| Neglect | Slip your mind | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɪˈɡlɛkt//🇺🇸 //nɪˈɡlɛkt// | 🇬🇧 //slɪp jɔːr maɪnd//🇺🇸 //slɪp jʊr maɪnd// |
| Meaning | To not pay attention to something or someone. | To forget something important |
| Example | He tends to neglect his health due to his busy schedule. | I meant to call you yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | neglect responsibilities, neglect duties, neglect health, neglect a cause | slip my mind, never slip your mind, always slips my mind |
| Antonyms | care, attend, nurture | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'neglected' as past tense only., Used without an object, neglect must involve something specific., Misuse as a synonym for 'ignore' without understanding the depth. | Confusing with 'slip of the tongue', which means saying something unintentionally., Using in formal contexts where 'forget' is more appropriate. |
| Usage notes | Used in formal and informal contexts; avoid in casual conversation unless discussing serious issues. It's appropriate for discussing responsibilities, care, or attention. | Used in casual conversations when discussing forgotten tasks or appointments. Not suitable for formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Neglect vs Slip your mind
What's the difference between Neglect and Slip your mind?
Neglect: To not pay attention to something or someone. Slip your mind: To forget something important
Which is more formal: Neglect and Slip your mind?
Neglect is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Neglect and Slip your mind?
Neglect is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Neglect: He tends to neglect his health due to his busy schedule. Slip your mind: I meant to call you yesterday, but it completely slipped my mind.
Can I use Neglect and Slip your mind interchangeably?
Not always. Neglect and Slip your mind 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.