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 using "empty promises", ensure the context clearly indicates who made the promises and to whom. Specificity strengthens the impact of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "empty promises" excessively in highly emotional situations. Overuse can dilute the impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "empty promises" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically used as an object or subject complement. It describes promises that lack substance or are not intended to be kept. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "empty promises" is a commonly used and grammatically correct noun phrase that describes commitments that are not intended to be fulfilled. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it is predominantly found in news and media contexts, serving to express skepticism or disappointment. Alternatives like "hollow assurances" or "unkept pledges" can provide nuanced variations. To ensure clarity and impact, use the phrase in contexts where the source and target of the promises are clear, and avoid overuse in emotionally charged situations. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's validity and offers numerous examples of its use in reputable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hollow assurances

Emphasizes the lack of sincerity or substance behind the statements.

false assurances

Highlights the deceptive nature of the guarantees.

unkept pledges

Focuses on the failure to honor prior commitments.

broken vows

Implies a violation of a serious commitment, often with emotional weight.

unfulfilled expectations

Shifts the focus to the disappointment resulting from unmet expectations.

worthless guarantees

Underscores the lack of value or reliability in the pledges.

insincere commitments

Highlights the lack of genuine intent behind the promises.

pie in the sky

Suggests unrealistic or improbable prospects.

false hopes

Implies the creation of unrealistic or misleading expectations.

illusory commitments

Emphasizes that the commitments are deceptive and based on illusion.

FAQs

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

You can use "empty promises" to describe situations where commitments are made but not fulfilled. For example, "Politicians often make "empty promises" during election campaigns to gain votes."

What are some alternatives to "empty promises"?

Alternatives include "hollow assurances", "unkept pledges", or "false hopes" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "empty promise" or "empty promises" more appropriate?

"Empty promise" refers to a single unfulfilled commitment, while "empty promises" refers to multiple unfulfilled commitments. Use the plural form when referring to more than one instance.

What's the difference between "empty promises" and "broken promises"?

"Empty promises" suggests a lack of intent to fulfill the commitment from the start, whereas "broken promises" implies an initial intention that was later abandoned.