empty promises

USAGE SUMMARY

'empty promises' is a correct form of English and it is commonly used.
You can use it whenever you want to describe promises that are made but have no value or substance behind them. Example: His campaign was full of empty promises that he never had any intention of keeping.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Ryan's empty promises don't.

The New York Times

Not empty promises.

The Guardian - Opinion

He's offering empty promises.

The Guardian

These were empty promises.

The New Yorker

"They sound like empty promises," she said.

The New York Times

He distrusted empty promises and easy solutions.

The New York Times - Books

They give us promises — but empty promises.

The New Yorker

"I don't want empty promises.

The New York Times

But those are empty promises.

The New Yorker

"Empty Promises," by Ann Rule.

The New York Times

But it was empty promises.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing political campaigns or leadership, use "empty promises" to express skepticism or disillusionment towards unfulfilled commitments. For example, "Voters are tired of politicians making "empty promises" they can't keep."

Common error

Avoid using "empty promises" to describe ambitious goals or visions. "Empty promises" implies deception or insincerity, while ambitious goals may simply be challenging to achieve. Ensure that you can demonstrate lack of intent, otherwise the expression might come across as excessively cynical.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty promises" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or the complement of a preposition. As Ludwig AI confirms, it describes commitments that are insincere or lack substance, often used to express skepticism or disappointment.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty promises" is a noun phrase widely used to describe insincere or unfulfilled commitments. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is grammatically correct and commonly employed in various contexts, particularly in news and media. When using this phrase, consider its negative connotation and ensure it accurately reflects a lack of genuine intent rather than simply ambitious goals. Alternatives such as "hollow vows" or "false assurances" can provide nuanced variations. Remember to tailor your language to your audience and desired effect. Its frequent usage suggests it is well understood and readily recognized, making it a potent tool to use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hollow vows

Replaces "promises" with "vows", implying a more formal or solemn declaration that is insincere.

false assurances

Substitutes "promises" with "assurances", suggesting a guarantee or reassurance that is ultimately untrue.

idle pledges

Replaces "promises" with "pledges", indicating a formal commitment that is not honored, and "empty" with "idle" suggesting laziness.

meaningless commitments

Uses "commitments" instead of "promises", highlighting the lack of genuine intent behind the stated obligation.

vain declarations

Emphasizes the futility and lack of result associated with the statement, replacing "promises" with "declarations".

worthless guarantees

Replaces "promises" with "guarantees", suggesting a formal assurance that has no real value.

insincere undertakings

Highlights the lack of sincerity behind the commitment, using "undertakings" as a substitute for "promises".

unfulfilled expectations

Shifts the focus to the disappointment resulting from the broken promises, using a different framing.

broken pledges

Focuses on the violation of the promise, conveying a sense of betrayal or disappointment.

deceptive words

Broadens the scope to include any form of misleading communication, not just promises.

FAQs

How can I use "empty promises" in a sentence?

"Empty promises" is typically used to describe statements or commitments that are insincere or unlikely to be fulfilled. For example, "The politician's speech was full of "empty promises" about reducing taxes and creating jobs."

What are some alternatives to "empty promises"?

You can use alternatives such as "hollow vows", "false assurances", or "idle pledges" depending on the specific context.

What is the difference between "empty promises" and "unrealistic goals"?

"Empty promises" implies a lack of genuine intent to fulfill a commitment, while "unrealistic goals" simply means that the goals are difficult or impossible to achieve, regardless of intent. Therefore, make sure to use it if you want to convey that what was stated lacks of a real intent of becoming true.

Is "empty promises" a formal or informal expression?

"Empty promises" can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It is commonly found in news articles, political commentary, and everyday conversations.