What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ignore
Example
He chose to ignore the warning signs and continued with his reckless behavior. [ignore: verb]
Example
Ignoring the problem won't make it go away. [ignoring: gerund or present participle]
overlook
Example
I overlooked the typo in my essay and lost points on my grade. [overlooked: past tense]
Example
Let's overlook his rude comment and focus on the main issue. [overlook: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Ignore is more commonly used than overlook in everyday language. Ignore is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while overlook is often used in specific situations, such as mistakes or faults.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ignore and overlook?
Both ignore and overlook can be used in formal and informal contexts, but ignore may be perceived as more informal due to its negative connotation.
