it was promised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was promised" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a commitment or assurance that was made in the past. Example: "The project was delayed, but it was promised that the new deadline would be met."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Unfortunately, the park has never received some of the amenities it was promised, and its budget has been repeatedly cut.

The New York Times

Behind its sleek, curving walls, it was promised to house "a serene environment, reflecting Apple's brand values of innovation, ease of use and beauty".

The Guardian - Arts

The Clinton Administration had privately told the North that such a step would jeopardize international aid it was promised in exchange for freezing its nuclear weapons program.

The New York Times

Though it was promised a licence, none was forthcoming and its staff were repeatedly told by the ministry that they could go on broadcasting without a problem.

The Guardian

It has unplugged two-thirds of its centrifuges and shipped out 98% of its enriched uranium, but has not seen the economic benefits it was promised.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the long run, it was promised, everyone would benefit.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was promised one and simply didn't get it.

The Guardian

It was promised last year, but didn't happen.

The Guardian - Business

It was promised that there would be 4,500 jobs.

The Guardian

ADS is only entitled to what it was promised from the entities that made those promises.

Harvard University

After it was promised independence, local government began discussing a possible national flag in 1957.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was promised" when you want to emphasize that a specific commitment or assurance was made in the past, especially when highlighting potential disappointment or unmet expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "it was promised" when the active voice would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "It was promised that the project would be completed by Friday," consider "They promised the project would be completed by Friday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was promised" functions as a passive construction, indicating that a promise was made by someone, often without specifying who made the promise. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

14%

Academia

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it was promised" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction to highlight a past commitment or assurance. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and readily applicable in diverse writing contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to convey that a commitment was made, often setting up an expectation or potential disappointment. When using this phrase, be mindful of clarity and consider whether an active voice might be more direct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it had been pledged

Focuses on a formal commitment or vow that was made.

an assurance was given

Highlights the act of providing confidence or certainty.

guarantees were made

Emphasizes the security or reliability that was assured.

they vowed

Highlights a solemn promise with strong conviction.

a commitment was undertaken

Stresses the responsibility or obligation that was assumed.

it was agreed upon

Focuses on a mutual understanding or consensus that was reached.

it was stipulated

Highlights a specific condition or requirement that was specified.

the understanding was

Refers to an implicit agreement or informal arrangement.

they led one to believe

Implies a misleading or deceptive assurance.

hopes were raised

Highlights the anticipation or expectation that was created.

FAQs

How can I use "it was promised" in a sentence?

Use "it was promised" to refer to something that someone had committed to doing. For instance: "It was promised that the new hospital would be built by 2025, but construction hasn't even started yet."

What's a formal alternative to "it was promised"?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases like "it was stipulated" or "guarantees were made" to convey a similar meaning with a more professional tone.

Is "it was promised to me" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it was promised to me" is grammatically correct. It emphasizes that the promise was specifically directed towards the speaker. For example: "It was promised to me that I would receive a promotion after six months."

What's the difference between "it was promised" and "it was expected"?

"It was promised" implies a commitment or assurance was given, while "it was expected" suggests an anticipation or likelihood without a specific promise. For instance, "It was promised that the package would arrive today," indicates someone guaranteed delivery; "it was expected that the package would arrive today," means it was likely but not guaranteed.