Cool MateDon't look at it vs Ignore
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't look at it
Top 5,000 (fairly common)
Ignore
Top 2,000 (common)B1verb
Most common: Ignore
| Don't look at it | Ignore | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt lʊk æt ɪt//🇺🇸 //doʊnt lʊk æt ɪt// | 🇬🇧 //ɪɡˈnɔː//🇺🇸 //ɪɡˈnɔːr// |
| Meaning | A phrase telling someone not to watch or pay attention to something. | To pay no attention to something. |
| Example | He said, 'Don't look at it, it's just a prank!' | She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | don't look, look away, ignore it, cover your eyes, turn your back | ignore a call, ignore the rules, ignore the warning |
| Antonyms | - | acknowledge, pay attention, notice |
| Common mistakes | 'Look' incorrectly used as 'see' in this context., Omitting 'at' and saying 'Don't look it' instead., Using this phrase when a different tone is needed, like encouragement. | 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. |
| Usage notes | Use in casual conversations or instructions. It's not suitable for formal contexts. Be aware of tone; it can sound dismissive. | Used in everyday conversation and writing. It is neutral; avoid in formal contexts where precise attention is needed. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't look at it vs Ignore
What's the difference between Don't look at it and Ignore?
Don't look at it: A phrase telling someone not to watch or pay attention to something. Ignore: To pay no attention to something.
Which is more common: Don't look at it and Ignore?
Ignore is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't look at it: He said, 'Don't look at it, it's just a prank!' Ignore: She chose to ignore the rude comments from her classmates.
Can I use Don't look at it and Ignore interchangeably?
Not always. Don't look at it and Ignore 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.