false promises

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "false promises" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you need to describe a situation in which someone has made promises that are not true. For example, "The politician made many false promises to his constituents during the campaign, which he had no intention of keeping once elected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Presidents made false promises".

The New York Times

The false promises, later retracted, were shameful.

The Guardian

"These, I believe, are false promises," she said.

The New York Times

False promises won't create good jobs or build public services.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But about the promises -- they are false promises".

The New York Times

Voters must not believe the false promises of other politicians.

The Guardian - Opinion

He could do without any more false promises.

The Guardian - Sport

American security must not be sacrificed for the false promises of global governance.

The New York Times

Gene therapy has been plagued with problems naivety, false promises, over-optimism and fatalities.

The Economist

Hitler quickly secured almost unlimited political power through terror, manipulations, and false promises.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They spend precious little time dwelling on Disney's false promises about education.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To strengthen your arguments, provide specific examples of how the promises were false and the consequences that followed. This adds credibility and depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "false promises" excessively in emotionally charged or accusatory contexts without providing sufficient evidence. This can weaken your argument and make your writing seem biased or unfounded. Always back up your claims with concrete facts and objective analysis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false promises" functions primarily as a noun phrase, often serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes assurances or pledges that are untrue or misleading, often highlighting deception or unreliability. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "false promises" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to critique and cast doubt on assurances perceived as deceptive. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news and media, as well as formal business contexts, the phrase effectively conveys skepticism regarding unreliable pledges. Alternative phrases like "empty assurances" or "hollow pledges" offer nuanced ways to express similar sentiments. When using "false promises", ensure it is supported by evidence to avoid accusations of bias and to maintain credibility. This analysis provides a comprehensive guide to understanding and effectively employing "false promises" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unkept promises

A simpler and more direct way of saying promises were not kept.

empty assurances

Focuses on the lack of substance behind the promises.

hollow pledges

Emphasizes the insincerity and lack of commitment in the promises.

unreliable assurances

Emphasizes the lack of dependability in the assurances given.

unfulfilled commitments

Highlights the failure to deliver on what was promised.

deceptive guarantees

Stresses the misleading nature of the guarantees provided.

illusory hopes

Emphasizes the creation of unrealistic and unattainable hopes.

broken vows

Implies a violation of a solemn or formal promise.

misleading claims

Highlights the untruthful aspect of the statements made.

dubious undertakings

Focuses on the questionable or uncertain nature of the commitments.

FAQs

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

You can use "false promises" to describe situations where someone makes assurances they cannot or do not intend to keep. For example, "The politician's campaign was built on "false promises" that were never fulfilled".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "false promises"?

Alternatives include "empty assurances", "hollow pledges", or "unfulfilled commitments", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "unkept promises" or "false promises"?

"Unkept promises" refers to promises that were simply not kept, while "false promises" implies that the promises were deceptive from the beginning. The choice depends on whether the intent to deceive was present.

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

"Broken promises" suggests that a promise was made in good faith but later broken, while "false promises" suggests that the promise was never intended to be kept and was deceptive from the start. Therefore, "false promises" highlight the deceitful intention behind the statement.