earlier commitment

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "earlier commitment" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a prior obligation or promise made before the current context or discussion. Example: "Due to my earlier commitment, I won't be able to attend the meeting this afternoon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

But Mr. Obama's campaign refused to reaffirm its earlier commitment.

The New York Times

But Ms. Sotomayor is expected to arrive on the small campus on Friday, accompanied by her mother and brother, to make good on her earlier commitment.

The New York Times

Those purchases joined the bank's earlier commitment to buy about $45 billion in Treasury securities each month through the end of December, which has now been extended indefinitely.

The New York Times

Spain, where he made a large earlier commitment to solar, has cut its subsidies, sharply reducing returns and leading to lawsuits from operators, including HgCapital.

The New York Times

Dr. ElBaradei expressed a guarded view of Iran, saying it had aroused concern by appearing to backslide on its earlier commitment to suspend its enrichment of uranium.

The New York Times

Mr. Fascher immediately set off to Liverpool to lure the Beatles away from an earlier commitment they had made to play at the Top Ten.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

The race for earlier and earlier commitments — the same rush that is well known in college men's basketball and football — has spread to men's lacrosse.

The New York Times - Sports

No agreement was reached in Japan, despite frantic negotiations and earlier commitments from Mr Abe.

The Economist

If anything, German leaders are undermining earlier commitments to help weaker countries like Spain bear the costs of bank cleanups.

The New York Times

Coach Mike Jarvis received earlier commitments from point guard Tristan Smith of Amityville High School on Long Island and forward Eric King of Milford Academy in Connecticut.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Vollebaek agrees that the bill does not in itself contravene international law or Slovakia's earlier commitments to protect minority languages.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "earlier commitment", ensure the context clearly indicates what the commitment was and to whom or what it was made. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "earlier commitment" without specifying what the commitment entails. Be precise to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "earlier commitment" functions as a noun phrase that modifies another noun or acts as a subject or object in a sentence. It specifies a prior obligation or promise. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "earlier commitment" is a common and grammatically sound way to refer to a prior obligation or promise. Ludwig AI validates its usability in written English. It functions as a noun phrase specifying a previous responsibility, and its neutral tone makes it suitable for various contexts. While it's used most frequently in news and media, it also appears in science and business domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the nature and context of the commitment. For alternative phrasing, consider "prior obligation" or "previous engagement" to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

earlier pledge

A direct synonym, simply replacing commitment with pledge.

prior obligation

Emphasizes the binding nature of the commitment from an earlier time.

previous engagement

Focuses specifically on a prior arrangement or scheduled event.

previous arrangement

Highlights an agreement that was made beforehand.

original pledge

Emphasizes the initial declaration or undertaking.

pre-existing agreement

Highlights the formal, contractual aspect of the commitment established earlier.

initial undertaking

Focuses on the commencement of a task or responsibility.

established obligation

Emphasizes the creation and existence of a pre-existing duty.

past promise

Underscores the element of a pledge made at a former point in time.

antecedent commitment

Uses a more formal term to describe a commitment that precedes the current situation.

FAQs

How can I use "earlier commitment" in a sentence?

You can use "earlier commitment" to refer to a previous obligation or promise, such as, "Due to my earlier commitment, I won't be able to attend the meeting."

What can I say instead of "earlier commitment"?

You can use alternatives like "prior obligation", "previous engagement", or "original pledge" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "earlier commitment" or "previous commitment"?

"Earlier commitment" and "previous commitment" are largely interchangeable, but "earlier commitment" might imply a commitment made in the more distant past, while "previous commitment" is more general.

How does "earlier commitment" differ from "current commitment"?

"Earlier commitment" refers to an obligation from the past, while a "current commitment" is one that is presently in effect. The key difference is the time frame.