I promised him

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "I promised him" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to express that you have made a promise to someone. It can also be used to refer back to a promise that was previously mentioned. Example: "I promised him that I would help him with his project." This sentence shows that the speaker has made a promise to someone and that they will follow through with it. Another example: "Earlier in the day, I promised him that I would call him back, but I forgot." This sentence refers back to a previous promise that the speaker had made and explains that they were unable to fulfill it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I promised him months ago.

The New Yorker

"I promised him I would".

The New York Times

Baz and which I promised him.

The New Yorker

I promised him I would do that".

The Guardian - Opinion

I promised him I would pursue it.

The Guardian

I promised him I'd leave it there.

The New York Times

"I promised him I wasn't going to stay," she recalled.

The New York Times

I promised him Daddy would get another set in heaven.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And I promised him that I'd win the medal.

The Guardian - Sport

"I promised him that he would be treated with all due courtesy and respect.

The New Yorker

"He is very sensitive, and I promised him not to expose very much about that".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I promised him", ensure that the promise itself is clear and specific to avoid ambiguity. For example, "I promised him I would call every week" is clearer than "I promised him I would keep in touch".

Common error

While "I promised him" is acceptable in many situations, consider using more formal alternatives like "I assured him" or "I guaranteed him" in professional or academic writing to maintain a more objective tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I promised him" functions as a declarative statement, where the speaker asserts that they made a promise to another person. It indicates a commitment or obligation undertaken. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I promised him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that the speaker made a commitment to someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage in diverse contexts, primarily news and media. While appropriate for various settings, it's important to consider the level of formality required and choose alternatives like "I assured him" in more professional contexts. Ensuring clarity and specificity when stating the promise made is also crucial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I gave him my word

Focuses on the act of giving one's word as a solemn pledge.

I assured him

Implies a guarantee or reassurance given to someone.

I vowed to him

Suggests a more formal and serious commitment.

I guaranteed him

Highlights the certainty and reliability of the commitment.

I committed to him

Emphasizes the dedication and obligation felt towards someone.

I pledged to him

Similar to 'vowed', but slightly less formal.

I gave him an assurance

Similar to 'assured him', but uses a noun form.

I made a commitment to him

Highlights the act of making a firm decision to do something.

I undertook to him

Presents a formal assumption of responsibility.

I bound myself to him

Indicates a strong sense of obligation, potentially legally or morally.

FAQs

How can I use the phrase "I promised him" in a sentence?

You can use "I promised him" to introduce a commitment you made to someone. For example, "I promised him I would help with the move" or "I promised him I'd keep his secret".

What are some alternatives to saying "I promised him"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I assured him", "I guaranteed him", or "I gave him my word".

Is it grammatically correct to say "I promised to him"?

No, the correct phrasing is "I promised him". The preposition "to" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context.

What's the difference between "I promised him" and "I told him"?

"I told him" simply means you conveyed information, while "I promised him" indicates you made a commitment to do something. A promise implies an obligation to fulfill something, while telling does not.