Cool MateIgnore vs Pay no heed to that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Pay no heed to that
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Ignore
| Ignore | Pay no heed to that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// | 🇬🇧 //peɪ nəʊ hiːd tə ðæt//🇺🇸 //peɪ noʊ hid tə ðæt// |
| Meaning | To pay no attention to something. | Don't listen to that. |
| Example | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. | You should pay no heed to that gossip. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning | pay no heed to criticism, pay no heed to warnings, pay no heed to rumors |
| Antonyms | acknowledge, pay attention, notice | pay attention, notice, heed |
| 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. | Using an incorrect verb form, like 'pays no heed to that'., Confusing 'heed' with 'heedless'., Forgetting the preposition 'to' after 'heed'. |
| 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 to advise someone to ignore specific advice or comments. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but may sound somewhat formal in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ignore vs Pay no heed to that
What's the difference between Ignore and Pay no heed to that?
Ignore: To pay no attention to something. Pay no heed to that: Don't listen to that.
Which is more common: Ignore and Pay no heed to 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. Pay no heed to that: You should pay no heed to that gossip.
Can I use Ignore and Pay no heed to that interchangeably?
Not always. Ignore and Pay no heed to 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.