make a pledge

USAGE SUMMARY

"make a pledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe when someone promises to do something. For example, "The company made a pledge to reduce their carbon emissions by 50% in the next 5 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Make a pledge here.

The Guardian

This month, make a pledge.

The Guardian

Australia has ruled out contributing but Canada is expected to make a pledge.

The Guardian

Ask people to make a pledge, says Richard Parker, client relationship manager at The DoNation.

The Guardian

The only way to get it is to make a pledge to the station.

The New Yorker

I would make a pledge to live a more conscientious life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another exhibition urges visitors to change eating habits and "make a pledge" to alleviate the "climate crisis".

The New York Times - Arts

The Conservative MP Philip Davies urged her to make a pledge not to pay any money into the EU budget.

The Guardian

Members of Al Qaeda must make a pledge of allegiance to follow the orders of Osama bin Laden.

The New York Times

Managers who make a pledge to coach staff to find their own strengths will have motivated, engaged, high performing teams.

The Guardian

Borrowing a technique from online merchants like Amazon and Fresh Direct, repeat donors do not need to resubmit their credit card information to make a pledge.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "make a pledge", ensure that the commitment is clear and specific. Avoid vague promises that are difficult to measure or fulfill. State exactly what you are promising to do.

Common error

Avoid making a pledge without a clear plan of action. Ensure you have the resources and ability to fulfill your promise, or risk damaging your credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "make a pledge" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the action of formally promising or committing to something. It suggests a deliberate and often public declaration of intent, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "make a pledge" is a verb phrase used to express a formal promise or commitment. It's commonly found in news, business, and even scientific contexts, showcasing its versatility. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. To ensure effective communication, it's important to make pledges specific and avoid overpromising without a clear plan. Consider alternatives like "promise formally" or "undertake a commitment" for different nuances. Whether it's a political promise, a personal commitment, or a business undertaking, "make a pledge" signifies a serious intent to fulfill an obligation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

undertake a commitment

More formal, suggesting a serious undertaking.

promise formally

Focuses on the act of promising something in a formal manner.

voice a commitment

Highlights the act of verbally expressing a dedication.

vow solemnly

Implies a very serious and sincere promise.

give an assurance

Changes the emphasis from a formal promise to a statement intended to inspire confidence.

offer a guarantee

Implies a stronger level of certainty and security than a pledge.

enter a covenant

Suggests a more solemn and binding agreement.

take an oath

Invokes a formal and often religious promise.

state an intention

Focuses on declaring a purpose rather than making a firm commitment.

profess a belief

Emphasizes a declaration of faith or conviction.

FAQs

What does "make a pledge" mean?

To "make a pledge" means to make a formal promise or commitment to do something. It often implies a sense of duty or responsibility.

How to use "make a pledge" in a sentence?

You can use "make a pledge" to describe someone promising to do something, like: "The politician "made a pledge" to lower taxes."

What can I say instead of "make a pledge"?

You can use alternatives like "promise formally", "undertake a commitment", or "voice a commitment" depending on the context.

Is it better to "make a pledge" or "make a commitment"?

Both "make a pledge" and "make a commitment" are similar, but "make a pledge" often carries a stronger sense of formality or public declaration. "Make a commitment" can be a more general term for dedicating oneself to something.