broken a promise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "broken a promise" is correct and usable in written English.
It means that someone has not kept a promise they have made. You can use it whenever somebody has not followed through on an agreement. For example, "He promised me he would help me move, but he didn't show up; he had broken a promise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

As if she had broken a promise.

The New Yorker

He had broken a promise to return two marines accused of killing Indian fishermen.

The Economist

"Well, it won't be the first time I've broken a promise to you, will it!

Independent

"The government has broken a promise to improve these flawed proposals.

The Guardian

Lawyers for MacAndrews said Mr. Drapkin had broken a promise to delete documents containing confidential company information.

The New York Times

The government denied it had broken a promise not to make any adverse changes to superannuation in its first term.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

That is a lame excuse for breaking a promise.

The Guardian - Opinion

MR. KING: Senator McCain, did you break a promise?

The New York Times

This was about the school breaking a promise about content.

The New York Times

It is always politically risky to break a promise.

The Guardian - Opinion

She knew that Kino wasn't the type of person to break a promise.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing broken promises, clearly state the original promise and the circumstances of its failure. This provides context and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid simply stating that someone "broken a promise" without explaining what the promise was. Providing context clarifies the situation and makes your writing more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "broken a promise" functions as a predicate in a sentence, typically describing an action performed by a subject. It indicates a failure to uphold a commitment or agreement. The examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, aligning with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "broken a promise" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that someone has failed to uphold their commitment. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It commonly appears in news and media contexts, emphasizing disappointment or criticism. While there are various alternatives like "failed to honor a commitment" or "went back on their word", "broken a promise" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various types of writing. When using this phrase, make sure to provide adequate context to ensure clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't keep their word

Simple and direct way of saying that someone didn't do what they promised.

failed to honor a commitment

Emphasizes the failure to respect an obligation.

reneged on an agreement

Suggests a deliberate withdrawal from a prior agreement.

went back on their word

Highlights the broken trust associated with not keeping a promise.

violated an assurance

Emphasizes the violation of a strong promise or guarantee.

defaulted on a pledge

Implies a formal promise that was not fulfilled.

left a commitment unfulfilled

Indicates the abandonment of an agreed-upon task or responsibility.

betrayed an expectation

Focuses on the disappointment caused by not fulfilling what was expected.

shattered expectations

Highlights the disappointment created by failing to meet an anticipation or hope.

proved untrustworthy

Highlights the negative impact on the person's reputation.

FAQs

How can I use "broken a promise" in a sentence?

You can use "broken a promise" to describe a situation where someone failed to keep their word. For example, "The politician /s/reneged+on+an+agreement/ promised lower taxes, but he has "broken a promise"."

What are some alternatives to the phrase "broken a promise"?

Alternatives to "broken a promise" include "failed to honor a commitment", "went back on their word", or "didn't keep their word". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "breached a promise" instead of "broken a promise"?

"Breached a promise" is generally considered more formal than ""broken a promise"". "Breached" implies a more serious or legalistic violation of the promise.

What is the emotional impact of breaking a promise?

Breaking a promise can lead to feelings of distrust, disappointment, and anger in the person to whom the promise was made. The severity of the emotional impact often depends on the importance of the promise and the relationship between the individuals involved. A person is perceived as "proved untrustworthy".