Disregard sth Meaning & Examples: How to Use This Phrasal Verb

What Does “Disregard sth” Mean?

“Disregard sth” means to ignore or pay no attention to something. It often suggests intentionally overlooking information, advice, or rules.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “disregard sth” is commonly used in both spoken and written English. It means to ignore or not consider something important. When someone disregards something, they choose not to pay attention to it, whether it’s a warning, advice, or a rule. Understanding the disregard sth meaning helps learners use it correctly in different situations. It is often used in formal and informal contexts, making it a versatile phrase to express ignoring or overlooking something intentionally.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: Disregard something
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To ignore or pay no attention to something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Disregard” is a transitive verb and is always followed by an object. It is inseparable, which means you cannot place the object between “disregard” and the word “something.”

Structure pattern: disregard + object (something)

Example: She disregarded the advice.

How to Use Disregard sth?

You can use “disregard sth” when talking about ignoring rules, warnings, advice, or information. It often implies a deliberate choice not to pay attention to something important. It is common in formal writing, such as reports or instructions, but also appears in everyday speech.

For example, if someone disregards safety rules, they do not follow them and may put themselves at risk. Similarly, disregarding advice means choosing not to consider what someone suggested.

Examples

Here are some examples of disregard sth in a sentence to help you understand how to use it naturally:

• She disregarded the warning signs and continued driving.
• The company disregarded the new regulations, which caused legal problems.
• He decided to disregard his friend’s advice and took the risk anyway.
• Ignoring important emails means you might disregard crucial information.
• Disregard sth in a sentence: “You should not disregard the instructions given by your doctor.”

Common Mistakes

Many learners confuse “disregard” with similar verbs or misuse its structure. Here are some examples:

• Incorrect: She disregarded to follow the rules.
• Correct: She disregarded the rules.
• Incorrect: I disregard about his opinion.
• Correct: I disregarded his opinion.

Remember, disregard is followed directly by the object without prepositions like “about” or “to.”

Differences / Synonyms

Several verbs are similar to disregard, but they have subtle differences:

• Ignore: Often means not noticing something, sometimes accidentally.
• Disregard: Means intentionally ignoring something important.
• Overlook: Usually means missing something by mistake, not on purpose.
• Reject: Means refusing or saying no to something, not just ignoring.

For example, “She ignored the noise” could mean she didn’t hear it, but “She disregarded the noise” suggests she heard it but chose not to care.

Common Collocations

Disregard is often used with specific nouns. These common collocations help you sound natural:

• Disregard advice: To ignore suggestions or recommendations.
• Disregard rules: To not follow regulations or laws.
• Disregard warnings: To ignore alerts about danger or problems.
• Disregard facts: To ignore important information or truth.
• Disregard instructions: To not follow directions or guidelines.

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation using disregard sth in a natural context:

Anna: Did you hear about the new safety rules at work?

Tom: Yes, but some people are disregarding them.

Anna: That’s dangerous. They should follow the rules to stay safe.

Practice

Try to complete the sentences below by choosing the correct option:

• I decided to ______ the advice and try a different method.
• a) disregard
• b) ignore
• c) follow
• They ______ the safety warnings, which caused an accident.
• a) disregarded
• b) accepted
• c) obeyed

FAQ

• Q: Can “disregard” be used in formal writing?
  A: Yes, it is common in formal and professional contexts.
• Q: Is “disregard” separable?
  A: No, you cannot separate “disregard” from its object.
• Q: What is the difference between “ignore” and “disregard”?
  A: “Ignore” can be accidental; “disregard” is usually intentional.
• Q: Can I say “disregard about something”?
  A: No, “disregard” is followed directly by the object without prepositions.
• Q: Is “disregard” positive or negative?
  A: It usually has a negative meaning because it means ignoring something important.