another commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "another commitment" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to an additional obligation or responsibility that someone has. Example: "I would love to join you for dinner, but I have another commitment that I can't cancel."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Cooper describes making her excuses at a meeting of women's organisations by saying she had "another commitment" – really, she was going to sports day.

The Guardian

"He's got another commitment," Mr. Zwilling said.

The New York Times

But I had another commitment so it didn't happen.

The Guardian

"I wasn't able to stay because I had another commitment".

The New York Times

"By happy coincidence," Mr. Kouchner explained, he had another commitment.

The New York Times

It's true that coaching a sports team is yet another commitment in an overcommitted world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

This is another abandoned commitment.

The Guardian

Result: another lifetime commitment sidestepped.

The Guardian - Sport

Julie (Foudy) is commentating, which is another huge commitment.

The New York Times

"I was not planning to take on another major commitment".

The New York Times

Another involves commitment strategies; in this case providing collateral.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "another commitment" to politely decline requests without divulging specific details, maintaining privacy and professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "another commitment" repeatedly without providing any context. This can come across as dismissive or insincere. If possible, offer a brief explanation or suggest rescheduling to show genuine interest.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "another commitment" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It indicates an additional obligation or engagement that someone has, as demonstrated in the examples provided by Ludwig. It is used to politely decline invitations or explain unavailability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Wiki

19%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

13%

Academia

5%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "another commitment" is a very common and grammatically sound way to express having a prior engagement or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it serves as a polite and versatile means of declining invitations or explaining unavailability across various contexts. While overusing this phrase without providing additional context can be perceived as insincere, it remains a valuable tool for maintaining privacy and professionalism. When using "another commitment", consider offering alternative times or a brief explanation to demonstrate genuine interest and avoid any negative impressions. By understanding its appropriate usage and potential pitfalls, you can effectively communicate your unavailability while maintaining positive relationships.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prior engagement

Emphasizes the temporal aspect of the commitment, highlighting that it was scheduled earlier.

previous obligation

Highlights the binding nature of the commitment, suggesting a duty or responsibility.

existing appointment

Specifically refers to a scheduled meeting or event that cannot be easily changed.

conflicting schedule

Focuses on the incompatibility between the current request and the pre-existing commitments.

prearranged event

Highlights that the event was planned in advance and is not easily rescheduled.

earlier arrangement

Similar to "prior engagement" but with a slightly broader scope, including informal arrangements.

unavoidable obligation

Emphasizes the necessity of fulfilling the commitment, suggesting it cannot be skipped.

fixed appointment

Stresses the rigidity of the schedule, implying it cannot be easily altered.

standing date

Refers to a recurring appointment or event, often on a weekly or monthly basis.

previous plan

A more general term encompassing any pre-existing arrangement, whether formal or informal.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says they have "another commitment"?

It generally means they have a prior engagement or obligation that prevents them from accepting an invitation or request at that time. It's a polite way to decline without necessarily providing specific details.

How can I politely decline an invitation using "another commitment"?

You can say something like, "Thank you for the invitation, but I already have "another commitment" that evening." To be extra polite, express your regret and perhaps suggest an alternative time.

What are some alternatives to saying "another commitment"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "prior engagement", "previous obligation", or "conflicting schedule" to express a similar meaning.

Is it impolite to use "another commitment" as an excuse?

Not necessarily, but it can depend on how frequently you use it and whether you offer any additional explanation or suggest an alternative. Overusing it or being consistently vague can make it seem insincere.