hollow vows

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hollow vows" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe promises or commitments that lack sincerity or substance. Example: "The politician's hollow vows during the campaign did little to convince the public of his integrity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It was a hollow vow.

The New York Times - Books

Forget about the slow-speed Bronco chase, O.J.'s courtroom antic with the gloves or his hollow vow to find "the real killer". Let me tell you what it was like to be at that crime scene only hours after Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman were slaughtered.

HuffPost

He also didn't appear to be very concerned about the burdens that would be placed on the voters who do not currently have ID cards, saying infirm voters could use absentee ballots, which do not require the same level of identification, or get one of the free cards that the state — in a hollow promise — has vowed to distribute.

The New York Times

The CIA's response has been to "neither confirm nor deny the existence or non-existence of records responsive to this request".Yet perhaps none of Mr Obama's transparency promises has rung hollower than his vow to protect whistleblowers.

The Economist

But the vow has a hollow ring in the gritty slums where "dons" like Coke have long provided services and imposed a disciplined law and order the government could never achieve.

Independent

Mr. Panetta, in an e-mail to Defense Department personnel around the world, vowed that "there will be no hollow force on my watch" — a reference to the demoralization in the military after the Vietnam War.

The New York Times

In a statement that some industry officials said rang particularly hollow in light of today's ruling, Mr. Kennard vowed to "move forward promptly" to consider whether to reinstate the rules.

The New York Times

You vow that you value diversity, but hollow tokenism is all that we see.

HuffPost

And that's why Wall Street's "earnings surprises" ring as hollow as the astonishment of a fashion model who vows that she can't possibly understand why everyone thinks she is so attractive.

Forbes

At the same time, however, Dr. Gottlieb vowed to crack down on clinics making hollow claims and marketing unsafe treatments.

The New York Times - Health

He failed to turn around New York's lamentable schools, however, and his vows to trim the city's payroll and restore fiscal prudence proved hollow.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hollow vows", ensure the context clearly indicates a lack of sincerity or substance behind the promises. The phrase is most effective when contrasting the expected commitment with the actual lack of intent or ability to fulfill it.

Common error

Avoid using "hollow vows" simply to describe promises that are difficult to keep. The phrase implies a deeper issue of insincerity or deception, not just practical challenges.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hollow vows" functions as a noun phrase modified by an adjective. It typically acts as the subject or object of a verb, describing the quality of promises or commitments made. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hollow vows" is a grammatically correct expression used to describe promises or commitments that lack sincerity or substance. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a usable phrase in written English, most commonly found in News & Media. It serves to convey skepticism or criticism about the credibility of the promises being made. While semantically related phrases like "empty promises" or "insincere pledges" can be used as alternatives, the specific choice depends on the nuance you wish to emphasize. When employing "hollow vows", ensure the context clearly communicates a lack of genuine intent, and avoid using it simply to describe promises that face practical challenges.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

empty promises

Emphasizes the lack of intent to fulfill the promises.

insincere pledges

Highlights the lack of genuine feeling behind the commitment.

meaningless assurances

Focuses on the lack of real value or impact of the assurances.

false oaths

Implies a deliberate deception in the swearing of an oath.

broken promises

Highlights the failure to keep a promise.

unfulfilled commitments

Focuses on the failure to complete or honor the commitments.

vain assurances

Highlights the futility and ineffectiveness of the assurances.

worthless guarantees

Emphasizes the lack of real value or protection offered by the guarantees.

deceptive promises

Highlights the misleading nature of the promises.

untrustworthy pledges

Focuses on the lack of reliability associated with the pledges.

FAQs

How can I use "hollow vows" in a sentence?

You can use "hollow vows" to describe promises or commitments that lack sincerity or substance. For example: "The politician's "hollow vows" during the campaign did little to convince the public of his integrity."

What are some alternatives to "hollow vows"?

Some alternatives to "hollow vows" include "empty promises", "insincere pledges", or "meaningless assurances", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "hollow vows"?

Yes, "hollow vows" is grammatically correct and follows standard English syntax. It's a common and accepted phrase.

What does "hollow vows" imply about the person making the vows?

"Hollow vows" suggests that the person making the promises is not genuinely committed to fulfilling them or is being deceptive about their intentions.