Cool MateIgnore vs Shrug
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Shrug
InformalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: IgnoreMost common: Ignore
| Ignore | Shrug | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// | 🇬🇧 /["/ʃrʌɡ/","/ʃrʌɡz/","/ʃrʌɡd/","/ˈʃrʌɡɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ʃrʌɡ/","/ʃrʌɡz/","/ʃrʌɡd/","/ˈʃrʌɡɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To pay no attention to something. | To lift your shoulders up and down to show you don't know or care. |
| Example | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. | Sam shrugged and said nothing. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning | lightly, slightly, carelessly |
| Antonyms | acknowledge, pay attention, notice | acknowledge, accept, consider |
| 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 with 'shrug off' which means to dismiss something., Using it in formal writing or settings., Misunderstanding the gesture's meaning across different cultures. |
| 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 express indifference or lack of knowledge. Not appropriate in formal situations or serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Ignore vs Shrug
What's the difference between Ignore and Shrug?
Ignore: To pay no attention to something. Shrug: To lift your shoulders up and down to show you don't know or care.
Which is more formal: Ignore and Shrug?
Ignore is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Ignore and Shrug?
Ignore is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Ignore and Shrug?
Shrug is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Ignore and Shrug the same CEFR level?
Ignore: B1, Shrug: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Ignore and Shrug?
Ignore: verb, Shrug: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Ignore: She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. Shrug: Sam shrugged and said nothing.
Can I use Ignore and Shrug interchangeably?
Not always. Ignore and Shrug 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.