commitments

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'commitments' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to promises or obligations that you have made to someone else. For example: "I take my commitments very seriously and will always do my best to fulfill them."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tony Abbott is holding firm against calls to send Australian medical experts to west Africa to help contain the Ebola virus, saying that other countries have yet to give firm commitments to assist in evacuations.

The Guardian

And some governments – notably the US and Japan – have trouble participating in multi-year commitments that represent a fiscal contingency.

The Guardian

"We look to Australia and other partners that we'll have the opportunity to meet with at the G20 to fulfil the commitments they've made and do more, quite frankly," Rice told the Australian Financial Review in comments published on Monday.

The Guardian

At about the age of six, our daughter had an arrangement imposed on her that was difficult enough in practical terms: her father was often out of the country and unable to support her weekend sports commitments simply because they were always somewhere else.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comic Relief is typical of the small ideas that the BBC catalyses into programming on a scale that reaches deep into people's lives, and can make all of us think afresh about our roles and commitments.

The Guardian

We certainly are in no way looking to make further binding commitments in the absence of very serious like binding commitments from other countries, and there is no evidence of that".

The Guardian

Merkel cannot understand how through the last UK parliament Cameron let himself be pushed into ever deeper commitments on Europe by the anti-EU factions in his party, only to find that his opponents would raise the bar still further.

The Guardian

As Leah Oatway, senior communications officer at Action Against Hunger, says: "We need the media, in its fourth estate role, to share messages on important issues or crises that are under-reported and require international support, to encourage world leaders to make positive commitments to alleviate poverty, and to hold them accountable for those commitments".

The Guardian

Martin McGuinness, the deputy first minister, accused the Democratic Unionist party of going back on commitments to protect the most vulnerable in society from welfare cuts.

The Guardian

"However, the DUP have acted in bad faith and are now reneging on their commitments to protect the most vulnerable.

The Guardian

Support on budget and confidence votes is a second possibility, in return for focused commitments.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing "commitments", be specific about the nature and scope of each commitment to avoid ambiguity. Clearly define what is being committed to, by whom, and under what conditions.

Common error

Avoid making vague or unrealistic "commitments". Ensure that resources, timelines, and responsibilities are clearly defined before making promises to prevent failure to deliver.

Linguistic Context

The word "commitments" functions primarily as a noun, typically referring to multiple obligations, promises, or engagements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "commitments" is a very common plural noun used to denote obligations, promises, or engagements. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts, reflecting discussions of political, economic, and social obligations, and is also prevalent in formal business and scientific domains when discussing agreements and responsibilities. To ensure clarity, it's best practice to clearly define the scope and nature of "commitments" to avoid ambiguity. When writing, be mindful of overstating "commitments" without a clear plan. Alternatives include "obligations", "pledges", and "promises".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obligations

Focuses more on duties and legal or moral requirements.

pledges

Emphasizes a public or formal promise.

promises

Highlights assurances given to someone.

undertakings

Suggests a formal agreement to do something.

engagements

Implies involvement or participation in something.

responsibilities

Highlights the duties and accountabilities involved.

assurances

Focuses on guaranteeing or ensuring something.

agreements

Implies a mutual understanding or contract.

guarantees

Stresses the certainty of fulfilling a promise.

arrangements

Highlights planned or organized activities or agreements.

FAQs

How do I use "commitments" in a sentence?

"Commitments" refers to promises or obligations. For example, "The company has several financial commitments" or "We made commitments to reduce carbon emissions".

What's the difference between "commitments" and "obligations"?

"Commitments" often involve a voluntary promise, while "obligations" may arise from legal, moral, or ethical duties. While related, "commitments" are often more discretionary.

Which is the correct word, "commitment" or "commitments"?

The choice depends on the context. "Commitment" is singular and refers to a single promise or obligation. "Commitments" is plural and refers to multiple promises or obligations. For example, "He showed great commitment" versus "The project involved several significant commitments".

What can I say instead of "commitments"?

You can use alternatives like "pledges", "promises", or "undertakings", depending on the context.