by pledging to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by pledging to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a commitment or promise to take a specific action or support a cause. Example: "The organization is making a significant impact by pledging to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% over the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The Army and Navy voluntarily upped the ante by pledging to be 25% renewable by 2020.

University of California, Berkeley

Mr Cameron responded to the overwhelming call for change by pledging to resettle thousands more refugees.

Independent

He also acknowledged the protesters' grievances by pledging to advance social reforms in Egypt.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Hollande has upset business leaders by pledging to make a series of tax increases.

The New York Times

Kennedy responded by pledging to defend West Berlin and calling up 250,000 reservists.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"It has gambled away public trust" by pledging to cut taxes while spending more.

The New York Times

Colbert Busch closed the debate by pledging to take a 10percentt pay cut if elected.

The Washington Post

Indeed, the private-equity buyers wooed consumers by pledging to cut electricity rates by 10percentt.

The Washington Post

The Turkish government, meanwhile, has enraged Greeks by pledging to step up exports to Russia to fill the gap.

The Guardian - Opinion

By pledging to sell "non-core assets", the Tribune management implicitly recognises the force of that argument.

The Economist

Mr. Casey neutralized the issue by pledging to remain in the Senate; he is seeking re-election this year.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by pledging to" to clearly state a commitment to a specific action, ensuring your intent is unambiguous. For example, "The company is improving its environmental impact by pledging to reduce carbon emissions."

Common error

Ensure your pledge is specific and measurable. Avoid statements like "by pledging to improve," which lack concrete details. Instead, say "by pledging to improve customer satisfaction scores by 15% by Q4."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by pledging to" functions as an introductory phrase indicating the means by which a goal or action is being pursued. It sets the stage for explaining how a commitment is being leveraged. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

10%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "by pledging to" is a versatile and grammatically sound construction used to indicate a commitment or promise towards a specific action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, with a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using this phrase, ensure your pledge is specific and measurable to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "by committing to" and "by promising to" can add variety to your writing while maintaining clarity. Understanding these nuances will help you effectively communicate your intentions and commitments in both formal and informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by committing to

Emphasizes dedication and responsibility, similar to pledging.

by promising to

Highlights the act of making a promise, closely related to pledging.

through a commitment to

Focuses on the mechanism of commitment, slightly more formal.

by vowing to

Implies a solemn and determined promise.

by undertaking to

Stresses the act of formally taking on a responsibility.

by assuring that

Highlights guaranteeing or ensuring a specific outcome.

by offering assurance to

Focuses on the act of providing certainty to others

by guaranteeing to

Emphasizes the certainty and reliability of fulfilling a specific outcome.

in promising

The focus shifts on the action of promising, removing the direct commitment.

on the promise of

Highlights the expectation or assurance based on a commitment.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "by pledging to" for variety?

You can use alternatives like "by committing to", "by promising to", or "through a commitment to" to add variety to your writing.

Is it appropriate to use "by pledging to" in formal writing?

Yes, "by pledging to" is suitable for formal writing, especially when detailing commitments in professional or academic contexts. However, consider alternatives like "by undertaking to" for even greater formality.

What's the difference between "by pledging to" and "by promising to"?

While similar, "by pledging to" often carries a slightly stronger connotation of commitment or formality than "by promising to". "By pledging to" may be more appropriate in situations requiring a serious or official commitment.

Can I use "by pledging to" when referring to past actions?

While grammatically correct, "by pledging to" is typically used to describe future or ongoing commitments. For past actions, it's better to use phrases like "committed to" or "promised to".