have commitments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have commitments" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a person is obligated or responsible for certain tasks or activities. Example: I can't stay out late tonight because I have commitments tomorrow morning.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have jobs, families and friends and we have commitments.

The Guardian - Opinion

We also have commitments in Afghanistan, of course.

The New York Times

Flexible working is often associated with parents who have commitments to young children.

The Guardian

"Those that don't have commitments for a brand are finding it extremely difficult to get loans".

The New York Times

Because the men have commitments to their careers, we have to make adjustments.

The New York Times

"We al ready have commitments to other sponsors for that time.

The New York Times

As a relatively young woman - I'm 33 - I hope to one day have a family and already have commitments.

The Guardian

A lot of guys already have commitments for that Monday, but your first commitment should be to the tour.

The New York Times - Sports

"The downside is missing meals you have paid for if you have commitments such as morning and evening sports team training," he says.

Independent

With Ruby Walsh likely to have commitments at Leopardstown, the Grand National-winning jockey is likely to miss several lucrative opportunities for Paul Nicholls.

Independent

We have commitments to Israel and the Persian Gulf states which we're not about to drop and the Iranians are not about to forget.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In professional settings, clearly state your "commitments" to manage expectations regarding deadlines and availability.

Common error

Avoid assuming someone is available without confirming their existing "commitments". Always inquire about their schedule to prevent scheduling conflicts and ensure their participation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have commitments" functions as a verb phrase indicating that someone is bound by certain obligations or responsibilities. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to explain why someone cannot attend an event or has limited availability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "have commitments" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has obligations or responsibilities that limit their availability. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "have obligations" or "be tied up with" depending on the desired level of formality. Being mindful of prior engagements and clearly communicating your own "commitments" are key to effective communication and scheduling.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have obligations

Highlights duties or requirements one must fulfill.

have responsibilities

Emphasizes the duties and accountabilities one holds.

have prior engagements

Specifically refers to pre-scheduled appointments or events.

be committed to

Emphasizes dedication or allegiance to a person, cause, or activity.

be tied up with

Implies being busy or engaged with something, limiting availability.

be scheduled to

Highlights planned events or tasks on a timetable.

be engaged in

Focuses on active involvement in a particular activity or task.

be booked up

Indicates that one's time is fully reserved.

be preoccupied with

Suggests that one's thoughts and time are largely consumed by certain matters.

have plans

A general way of saying that one has already arranged activities.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "have commitments" in a formal email?

In a formal email, you can use phrases like "have prior engagements", "have obligations", or "be scheduled to" to maintain a professional tone.

Is it correct to say "has commitments"?

No, the correct form is "have commitments" when referring to multiple obligations or a general state of being busy. Use "has commitments" only when the subject is singular and the context clearly implies multiple obligations.

What is the difference between "have commitments" and "are committed to"?

"Have commitments" refers to existing obligations or responsibilities, while "be committed to" implies a dedicated allegiance or promise to a person, cause, or activity.

What are some alternatives to "have commitments" in a casual conversation?

In a casual conversation, you can use alternatives like "be tied up with", "have plans", or "be booked up" to convey that you are busy.