Overlook vs Please ignore them

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Overlook

Top 2,000 (common)C1verb

Please ignore them

Top 2,000 (common)
 OverlookPlease ignore them
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/ˌəʊvəˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvəˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌəʊvərˈlʊk/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊks/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkt/","/ˌəʊvərˈlʊkɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //pliːz ɪɡˈnɔː ðɛm//🇺🇸 //pliz ɪˈɡnɔr ðɛm//
MeaningTo not notice something or to ignore it.Don't pay attention to them.
ExampleFrom the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance.During the meeting, he said, 'Please ignore them if they start talking.',
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelC1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationscompletely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlooked, completely, entirely, largely, cannot, cannot afford to, should not, be easily overlooked, something should not be overlookedplease ignore requests, please ignore distractions, politely ignore comments
Antonymsnotice, acknowledge, spot-
Common mistakes'Overlook' used as a noun instead of a verb., Confusing 'overlook' with 'oversee', which means to supervise., Using 'overlook' with an incorrect preposition (e.g. 'overlook at something').Using 'ignore' incorrectly with objects (e.g., 'ignore them to do')., Confusing 'ignore' with 'neglect'., Saying 'please ignore to them' instead of 'please ignore them'.
Usage notesCommonly used when referring to missed details or ignoring responsibilities. Appropriate in both written and spoken English. Generally not used in very formal contexts.Use when asking someone not to focus on certain people. It's polite but can be direct.

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Please ignore them

Frequently asked questions: Overlook vs Please ignore them

What's the difference between Overlook and Please ignore them?

Overlook: To not notice something or to ignore it. Please ignore them: Don't pay attention to them.

Can you show an example of each?

Overlook: From the hilltop, you can overlook the entire city in the distance. Please ignore them: During the meeting, he said, 'Please ignore them if they start talking.',

Can I use Overlook and Please ignore them interchangeably?

Not always. Overlook and Please ignore them 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.

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