covenant

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "covenant" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal, religious, or formal contexts to refer to an agreement or promise between parties. Example: "The two nations entered into a covenant to promote peace and cooperation in the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

It said: [Evraz] is seeking approval...of the holders of the notes to remove a covenant requiring the company to maintain the net leverage ratio at or below a specified level.

The Guardian - Business

She saw herself as the custodian of the government's covenant, direction, tempo and temper – its quality controller, as well as leader.

The Guardian

The prime minister will also head a sub-committee on the armed forces covenant, the National Security Council, an implementation taskforce on immigration and another on tackling extremism.

The Guardian

The letter tells the king, Sheikh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, that the charge and sentence "directly conflict with Bahrain's international commitments to the international covenant on civil and political rights (ICCPR)".

The Guardian

The Episcopalians of the United States have already breached the covenant and are consequently being asked to stay away from some pan-Anglican institutions.

The Economist

The covenant requires Anglican churches to avoid causing controversy by actions (such as ordaining openly gay bishops) which are likely to offend their more old-fashioned brethren.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

In the fourth quarter of last year, for instance, two forms of risky debt issuance payment-in-kind (Pissuance payment-in-kindlissuance payment-in-kindes last seen in 2007.

The Economist

As Jeremy Stein of the Federal Reserve noted in February, speculative elements have returned to the markets, including "covenant-lite" loans and payment-in-kind debt (where interest is paid not as cash but as more debt).

The Economist

The main obstacle is that the First Data deal "has all the bells and whistles of the bubble era", says another banker: it is, for instance, "covenant-lite" and offers lenders little protection.Banks would love to wriggle out of the most egregious deals, or at least get better terms.

The Economist

The Huckabees, who have been married for 30 years, will renew their wedding vows at a mass "covenant-marriage" ceremony in a local sports arena.

The Economist

And deals financed when bubble mentality was at its most frenzied often had so-called "covenant-light" loan agreements, which gave their bankers few rights to demand repayment.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal or formal contexts, use "covenant" to emphasize a binding agreement or solemn promise. Be mindful of the specific legal or religious connotations associated with the term.

Common error

Avoid using "covenant" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler terms like "agreement" or "promise" for better clarity and naturalness.

Linguistic Context

The word "covenant" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a mutually binding agreement, pact, or formal promise, often in legal, religious, or political contexts. Ludwig AI validates this through numerous examples of its usage in similar contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

14%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covenant" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term, as validated by Ludwig AI. It functions primarily as a noun to denote a binding agreement or promise, particularly in formal, legal, and religious contexts. While its usage is widespread in news and business, simpler alternatives are preferable in casual settings. Ensure precision when using "covenant", and avoid it in informal conversations to maintain clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

agreement

This alternative is a more general term for a mutual understanding or arrangement.

contract

This alternative refers to a legally binding agreement.

pact

This alternative suggests a formal agreement between parties, often nations.

treaty

This alternative refers to a formal agreement between countries.

accord

This alternative denotes a formal agreement or harmony.

pledge

This alternative implies a solemn promise or undertaking.

guarantee

This alternative suggests a formal assurance or security.

assurance

This alternative conveys a promise or guarantee.

commitment

This alternative refers to a dedication to a cause or action.

undertaking

This alternative signifies a formal promise to do something.

FAQs

How is "covenant" typically used in a sentence?

The word "covenant" is generally used to describe a formal agreement or promise. For example, "The nations entered into a "peace covenant"".

What words can I substitute for "covenant"?

Alternatives to "covenant" include "agreement", "contract", "pact", or "treaty", depending on the specific context and formality required.

Is it appropriate to use "covenant" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "covenant" is generally reserved for formal, legal, or religious contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler terms like "agreement" or "promise" are more suitable.

What is a "covenant lite" debt?

A "covenant lite" debt refers to a loan agreement that provides creditors with fewer safeguards and protections compared to traditional loans. It is often used to force debt repayment when the debtor misses certain financial targets.