keep a promise

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep a promise" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is a phrase that is used to describe when someone fulfills the commitment they have made to someone else. For example: Even though it was hard, he kept his promise to make dinner for his family every Sunday night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

If the trust of the promiser is the ground of the moral obligation to keep a promise, then prior to the promisee coming to trust the promiser, no such obligation exists.

SEP

ASEAN also rallied around Myanmar, despite its failure to keep a promise to move towards democracy.

The Economist

They want to keep a promise to balance the federal budget by 2011.

The Economist

I'd like to see one of them keep a promise for a change.

The New York Times

Eden Studio's action-adventure game Kya: Dark Lineage knows how to keep a promise.

The New York Times - Tech

But his bank has yet to keep a promise to cut its 13% stake in Generali to 10%.

The Economist

We're less worried about making the authority keep a promise not to let the new advertising "annoy" commuters.

The New York Times

He smashed its skull with a hammer, and that was a bullshit way to keep a promise.

The New Yorker

"He is very big on this 'make a promise, keep a promise' thing," said Mitchell Moss, an informal adviser.

The New York Times

He has said it will help him keep a promise of reducing unemployment, now at a 13-year high of 10.7 percent, by the end of the year.

The New York Times

"Raja Harishchandra" told of the righteous king of Ayodhya who endured miseries, sacrificing his kingdom and his son, to keep a promise to a sage.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "keep a promise", ensure the context clearly defines the specific promise being referenced. This adds clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "keep a promise" without specifying which promise you're referring to. This can confuse the reader. Be specific about the promise being kept.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep a promise" functions as a verb phrase, where "keep" acts as the main verb and "a promise" is the direct object. It adheres to standard grammatical rules, as affirmed by Ludwig AI, indicating its acceptability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

13%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep a promise" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the fulfillment of a commitment. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across diverse contexts such as News & Media and Science. While generally neutral in tone, it’s important to specify the particular promise to avoid ambiguity. Related phrases like "honor a commitment" or "fulfill an obligation" can offer suitable alternatives depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. Remember to be specific and provide context to make your message clear and impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honor a commitment

Focuses on the act of honoring a previously made commitment.

fulfill an obligation

Highlights the completion of a duty or requirement.

stand by one's word

Emphasizes the importance of integrity and truthfulness.

deliver on a pledge

Highlights the action of fulfilling a public promise or pledge.

make good on a promise

Implies effort and action taken to ensure the promise is fulfilled.

uphold an agreement

Stresses maintaining the terms of a formal agreement.

abide by a commitment

Suggests adherence and loyalty to a commitment.

carry out a vow

Emphasizes the execution of a solemn promise or vow.

stay true to one's word

Emphasizes the importance of being faithful and truthful to what one has said.

execute a commitment

Highlights the active implementation of a promise.

FAQs

What does it mean to "keep a promise"?

To "keep a promise" means to fulfill a commitment or pledge that you have made to someone. It involves doing what you said you would do.

How can I use "keep a promise" in a sentence?

You can use "keep a promise" in a sentence like this: "He worked hard to "keep a promise" to his children." or "The company failed to "keep a promise" to its customers."

What are some alternatives to "keep a promise"?

Some alternatives to "keep a promise" include "honor a commitment", "fulfill an obligation", and "stand by one's word".

Is it better to "keep a promise" or "make good on a promise"?

"Keep a promise" is a general term for fulfilling a commitment. "Make good on a promise" /s/make+good+on+a+promise implies that some effort or difficulty was involved in fulfilling the promise.