Making Promises in English


Introduction

Learning to express promises in English is essential for effective communication. Whether you’re making commitments, asking for assurances, or responding to promises, mastering various expressions can enhance your language skills.

This guide offers a comprehensive overview of making promises in English, covering definitions, expressions, idioms, and more to help you communicate confidently.

What Does The Word “Promise” Mean?

A promise is a commitment or declaration indicating one’s assurance to fulfill a certain action or expectation in the future.

Synonyms for promise include word of honorpledgevow, and commitment.

To illustrate the concept let’s take an example:

In a common scenario, Sarah waits for her friend Tom at a café for coffee. Tom apologizes for being late due to traffic and promises to arrive in ten minutes. He might say:

  • I promise I will be there in 10 minutes
  • I’ll be there in 10 minutes. It’s a promise

The above expressions assure Sarah that he won’t be long in coming.

Let’s now explore other useful expressions for making promises.

Useful Phrases For Making Promises

In this section, we’ll address two types of phrases: those used to request someone to make a promise and those employed to make promises themselves. We will also list phrases you may use to respond to a promise.

Asking For A Promise

When seeking assurance or commitments from others, specific phrases can be used to solicit promises. Common expressions for asking for a promise include:

  1. “Promise me that…”
  2. “Do you promise to…”
  3. “Make me a promise to…”
  4. “Can I consider this as a promise?”
  5. “Do you give me your word on that?”
  6. “Could you assure me that…”
  7. “Will you guarantee that…”
  8. “Can you commit to…”
  9. “Are you willing to pledge that…”
  10. “Could you vouch for…”
  11. “Would you swear to…”

Making Promises

When making promises yourself, it’s crucial to convey sincerity and commitment. Here are some phrases commonly used to make promises:

  1. “I promise that I will…”
  2. “It’s a promise.”
  3. “I give you my word on that.”
  4. “You have my word on it.”
  5. “I swear I will…”
  6. “I assure you that…”
  7. “You can count on me to…”
  8. “Rest assured, I will…”
  9. “Consider it done.”
  10. “I am committed to…”
  11. “You can rely on me for…”
  12. “I will make sure to…”
  13. “You can trust me to…”
  14. “I am dedicated to…”
  15. “I am determined to…”

Responses To Promises

Acknowledging promises made by others requires appropriate responses. Here are some common reactions to promises:

  1. “All right. Keep your promise.”
  2. “I hope you’ll keep your promise.”
  3. “Thank you.”
  4. “I believe you.”
  5. “I hope you will keep your word.”
  6. “That’s reassuring.”
  7. “I appreciate your commitment.”
  8. “I’m counting on you.”
  9. “I trust you’ll follow through.”
  10. “Your word means a lot to me.”
  11. “I’m grateful for your assurance.”
  12. “I have faith in your sincerity.”
  13. “I’ll hold you to it.”
  14. “That’s good to hear.”
  15. “I’m confident in your reliability.”

Now, let’s delve into more figurative expressions commonly used to discuss promises.

Promise Idioms

Idioms related to promises add color and depth to language use. Understanding these idiomatic expressions may enrich your conversational skills in English.

Some common promise-related idioms include:

  1. “A promise is a promise.”
    • Explanation: Emphasizes the importance of honoring commitments.
    • Example: “You said you’d help me move on Saturday. A promise is a promise, so I expect you to be there.”
  2. “A promise made is a promise kept.”
    • Explanation: Highlights the expectation that promises should be fulfilled.
    • Example: “I told my friend I’d meet her for lunch, so even though I’m busy, I’ll make sure to keep my promise.”
  3. “Breach of promise.”
    • Explanation: Refers to breaking or failing to fulfill a promise.
    • Example: “She filed a lawsuit against him for breach of promise when he didn’t propose after saying he would.”
  4. “Empty promises.”
    • Explanation: Refers to promises made insincerely or without intention to fulfill them.
    • Example: “Don’t listen to him. He’s just making empty promises again, with no intention of following through.”
  5. “Keep a promise.”
    • Explanation: To fulfill or honor a commitment.
    • Example: “I always try to keep my promises to my children, so if I say we’ll go to the park, we’ll go.”
  6. “Promise someone the earth, the moon, or the world.”
    • Explanation: To make extravagant promises that may be impossible to fulfill.
    • Example: “He promised his girlfriend the moon, but he didn’t even remember their anniversary.”
  7. “Go back on one’s word.”
    • Explanation: To fail to fulfill a promise or commitment.
    • Example: “He said he’d help with the project, but he went back on his word and didn’t show up.”

Conclusion

Effectively expressing promises in English involves understanding various phrases, idioms, and responses. By mastering these expressions, learners can communicate commitments, assurances, and expectations confidently.

Remember, sincerity and integrity are key when making and responding to promises, ensuring effective communication in both personal and professional contexts. Keep practicing these expressions to enhance your language skills and convey your intentions accurately.

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