Cool MateNeglect vs You can't sweep that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Neglect
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
You can't sweep that
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: NeglectMost common: Neglect
| Neglect | You can't sweep that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɪˈɡlɛkt//🇺🇸 //nɪˈɡlɛkt// | 🇬🇧 //jʊ kɑːnt swiːp ðæt//🇺🇸 //jʊ kænt swiːp ðæt// |
| Meaning | To not pay attention to something or someone. | You cannot ignore or avoid that issue. |
| Example | He tends to neglect his health due to his busy schedule. | You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem. |
| 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 | sweep under the rug, sweep aside concerns, sweep away issues |
| 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. | Confused about the context; might use in formal situations., Misunderstands the meaning; thinks it literally refers to cleaning. |
| 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 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: Neglect vs You can't sweep that
What's the difference between Neglect and You can't sweep that?
Neglect: To not pay attention to something or someone. You can't sweep that: You cannot ignore or avoid that issue.
Which is more formal: Neglect and You can't sweep that?
Neglect is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Neglect and You can't sweep that?
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. You can't sweep that: You can't sweep that under the rug; it's a serious problem.
Can I use Neglect and You can't sweep that interchangeably?
Not always. Neglect 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.