Ignoring Someone in English: Useful Expressions and Examples

Understanding the Expression "Ignore"

"Ignoring someone" means choosing to not give attention to them, whether it's their words, actions, or presence. We do this for various reasons, and in English, the word "ignore" comes up often in different situations. Let’s dive a little deeper into how "ignore" is used in everyday life.

Common Ways to Use "Ignore"

Ignoring Red Flags A red flag is like a warning sign – it signals that something isn’t right, and if you ignore it, you're choosing to overlook potential problems. It often happens in relationships or situations where you're not seeing the whole picture.

Example:
- "I ignored all the red flags and started dating him." (This means that the person saw clear signs that the relationship could be problematic but chose to ignore them and continue anyway.)
- "She saw the signs, but she ignored them." (In this case, "the signs" refer to things that suggested something might go wrong, but the person didn’t act on them.)
Ignoring Messages In today’s digital world, ignoring messages is super common. Whether it’s a text, a phone call, or even a social media notification, sometimes we choose not to respond. But, ignoring messages can come across as rude or passive-aggressive, depending on the situation.

Example:
- "I have been ignoring all his messages." (This means you’ve purposely not replied to someone's messages, possibly because you're upset or just not interested in continuing the conversation.)
- "Why are you ignoring my texts?" (Here, the speaker is asking why the other person hasn’t replied to their messages, possibly feeling ignored or ignored on purpose.)
Ignoring Strangers Sometimes, we find ourselves in situations where strangers approach us, but we prefer to not engage. Ignoring someone in this context could mean you don't want to talk, don’t feel comfortable, or simply don't have the energy to deal with it.

Example:
- "A guy was trying to pick me up on the street, but I ignored him." (This means the person didn’t respond to the stranger who was trying to start a conversation or flirt.)
- "She ignored the man calling her and kept walking." (In this example, the woman heard someone calling out to her, but she chose not to stop and kept walking away, probably because she wasn’t interested or didn’t feel like engaging.)

4. Ignoring Negative Comments

When it comes to the internet, we often come across rude or harmful comments. While it can be hard, ignoring them is often the best choice. Responding can escalate the situation, so sometimes it’s better to just walk away mentally.

Example:

Example:
- "You should ignore malicious comments on the internet." (This means don’t engage with hurtful or insulting comments because responding usually doesn't lead to anything good.)
- "If you respond to negative comments, you will only suffer." (This suggests that reacting to negative comments could make you feel worse and prolong the negativity.)
Ignoring negative comments can be a form of self-care, helping you avoid unnecessary stress or drama. It allows you to maintain your peace without giving the negativity the attention it’s looking for.

The Importance of Trusting Your Intuition

Sometimes we have a gut feeling or instinct about a person or situation. While it can be tempting to ignore these feelings, it’s important to listen to them. Ignoring your intuition can lead to regrettable decisions.

Example:

"Do not ignore your gut feelings if something feels wrong." (This is advice to trust your instincts—if something doesn’t feel right, it’s usually for a reason.)
"I had a bad feeling about him, but I ignored it." (This shows that sometimes, even though we feel something is off, we ignore it, only to regret it later.)

When we ignore our gut feelings, we may put ourselves in uncomfortable or risky situations. Trusting your instincts can help guide you toward making better choices.

Real-Life Example from a Conversation

Here’s an example of how ignoring someone or something can be used in real life to prevent further problems:

"The more you react, the more she will continue. Just ignore it." (This advice shows that when dealing with someone who’s provoking or irritating you, ignoring them might be the best way to stop the behavior. Reacting only fuels the situation.)

In these situations, ignoring isn’t about avoiding confrontation; it’s about not letting the behavior get under your skin. It's a way of protecting your emotional well-being and refusing to give others control over how you feel.

So, whether it’s ignoring negative comments, trusting your intuition, or letting go of unnecessary conflicts, choosing when to ignore can be a powerful tool in keeping your peace of mind.

Common Mistakes with "Ignore"

Here are 10 common mistakes learners make when using the word "ignore," along with corrections:

❌ "I ignored his call but I answered his message." ✅ "I ignored his call and his message."
(You can't ignore one and answer the other in the same situation.)
❌ "She ignores to answer my questions." ✅ "She ignores answering my questions."
(Use the gerund form "answering" after "ignore.")
❌ "I ignored to go to the party." ✅ "I ignored going to the party."
(When talking about not doing something, use the gerund form.)
❌ "Don't ignore to respond to emails." ✅ "Don't ignore responding to emails."
(Remember: it's not "ignore to do," it's "ignore doing.")
❌ "He ignores the negative feedback." ✅ "He ignores negative feedback."
(No need to use "the" before negative feedback in general.)
❌ "I ignored my instinct." ✅ "I ignored my instincts."
(Use the plural form "instincts" because we usually have multiple feelings or senses.)
❌ "They ignored to clean the kitchen." ✅ "They ignored cleaning the kitchen."
(Again, use the gerund form after "ignore.")
❌ "I ignored him because he was talking loudly." ✅ "I ignored him because he was speaking loudly."
("Speaking" is more appropriate in this context for verbal communication.)
❌ "She ignored talking to her friend." ✅ "She ignored talking with her friend."
(You can ignore a conversation, but you can also ignore a person.)
❌ "I ignored he was angry." ✅ "I ignored that he was angry."
(Use "that" to introduce the clause after "ignored.")

Quiz: Test Your Understanding of "Ignore"

Test your knowledge with these 10 questions!

What does it mean to "ignore" someone?
a) To respond to them
b) To pay attention to them
c) To choose not to pay attention to them
Which sentence uses "ignore" correctly?
a) "I ignored to go to the store."
b) "I ignored going to the store."
c) "I ignore go to the store."
What is the correct phrase?
a) "Ignoring red flags is dangerous."
b) "Ignoring a red flag dangerous."
c) "Ignoring red flag is danger."
When should you use "ignore" in a sentence?
a) When you are showing interest
b) When you are purposely not paying attention
c) When you are responding to someone
Which of the following is an example of ignoring someone?
a) You see someone waving at you but walk away.
b) You wave back to someone.
c) You stop and talk to someone.
What should you do if you feel something is wrong?
a) Ignore it and move on
b) Trust your gut feelings and address it
c) Pretend it’s not happening
Which of these sentences is correct?
a) "I ignored her messages because they were long."
b) "I ignored her message because it was long."
c) "I ignore her messages because they were long."
Which sentence is correct?
a) "I ignore my instinct when I am not sure."
b) "I ignored my instinct when I was not sure."
c) "I ignored my instinct when I am not sure."
What does "ignore" mean in "He ignored my advice"?
a) He agreed with my advice
b) He didn’t listen to my advice
c) He asked for more advice
How can you tell if you are ignoring someone?
a) You respond immediately to their questions
b) You don’t respond or acknowledge them
c) You talk to them more than once

Quiz Answers
1. What does it mean to "ignore" someone?
  - Answer: c) To choose not to pay attention to them
2. Which sentence uses "ignore" correctly?
  - Answer: b) "I ignored going to the store."
3. What is the correct phrase?
  - Answer: a) "Ignoring red flags is dangerous."
4. When should you use "ignore" in a sentence?
  - Answer: b) When you are purposely not paying attention
5. Which of the following is an example of ignoring someone?
  - Answer: a) You see someone waving at you but walk away.
6. What should you do if you feel something is wrong?
  - Answer: b) Trust your gut feelings and address it
7. Which of these sentences is correct?
  - Answer: a) "I ignored her messages because they were long."
8. Which sentence is correct?
  - Answer: b) "I ignored my instinct when I was not sure."
9. What does "ignore" mean in "He ignored my advice"?
  - Answer: b) He didn’t listen to my advice
10. How can you tell if you are ignoring someone?
  - Answer: b) You don’t respond or acknowledge them

FAQs About "Ignore"

Q: What’s the difference between "ignore" and "avoid"?
- A: "Ignore" means not paying attention to something or someone on purpose. "Avoid" means staying away from something or someone.
Q: Can you ignore a situation without ignoring a person?
- A: Yes! You can ignore a situation but still acknowledge the person involved.
Q: How do I ignore something politely?
- A: Sometimes, ignoring can be done subtly, like not engaging in a conversation when it's clear that no response is expected.
Q: Can ignoring someone hurt their feelings?
- A: Yes, ignoring someone can make them feel unwanted or unimportant.
Q: Is it always bad to ignore negative comments?
- A: Not necessarily! Ignoring negative comments online can be a way to protect yourself from unnecessary stress.
Q: What should I do if I ignore someone by accident?
- A: Apologize and explain if it was an accident. People will often understand if you clarify the situation.
Q: Can ignoring my gut feelings lead to regret?
- A: Yes, ignoring your instincts can sometimes lead to bad decisions and regrets later on.
Q: What is "ignoring red flags" in a relationship?
- A: It means ignoring warning signs that something may not be right in the relationship.
Q: When should I ignore someone in a conversation?
- A: If someone is being rude or disruptive, ignoring them might be the best way to stop the behavior.
Q: Is ignoring someone always the right choice?

A: Not always! In some situations, addressing the issue directly may be better than ignoring it.

Useful Tips to Remember

Ignore is a powerful tool, but use it wisely. Sometimes, ignoring someone or something can be the best way to protect your peace and avoid unnecessary drama.
Don’t confuse ignore with avoid. Ignoring is about not paying attention to something, while avoiding is staying away from it entirely.
When ignoring someone, consider the context. Sometimes, ignoring a person can make things worse, especially if the situation requires resolution.
Trust your intuition. Ignoring your gut feelings might lead to negative outcomes later, so always listen to those instincts when they tell you something’s off.

By understanding the different ways we use "ignore," you can make smarter choices about when to let things go and when to take action. Keep practicing, and you'll be able to use "ignore" in everyday situations with confidence!

Ignoring Texts, People, and Red Flags: Master “Ignore” in English!