mental promise

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "mental promise" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a commitment or intention made in one's mind, often without formal acknowledgment. Example: "She made a mental promise to herself to exercise more regularly this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"We all made a mental promise," Staff Sgt. Jeffrey M. Adamec recalled of that battle on Day 18 of the war.

The New York Times

As we walked through Grant Park later in the day, up Columbus Drive (the finish line of The Chicago Marathon), I made a mental promise to myself that I'd run that someday too.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Von ammon co, a new commercial gallery specializing in digital art, opens in D.C. on Saturday, and its first show, "Tabor Robak: Mental," promises to transport viewers to a future where mass media has mutated into something strange and unsettling.

The Washington Post

It is enough to say that psychoanalysis, in its character of the psychology of the deepest, unconscious mental acts, promises to become the link between Psychiatry and all of these other fields of study.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The state's office of mental health promises a full inquiry, but one point is already glaringly obvious: the state needs places to put young defendants who are dangerously disturbed.

The New York Times

Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the Democratic leader, on Thursday enthusiastically volunteered to cosponsor not-yet-written legislation addressing the president's physical, and mental, fitness, promised from an unlikely source: the Republican chairman of the House Oversight Committee.

The New York Times

"It is enough to say," Freud declared, "that psychoanalysis, in its character of the psychology of the deepest, unconscious mental acts, promises to become the link between Psychiatry and all of these other fields of study," among them medicine, anthropology, and literary history.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It took two Labour backbenchers to put the prime minister on the spot over the government's failure to act on its mental health promises, while Conservative MP Tania Mathias chose to speak very loudly and very slowly about levels of pollution at Heathrow.

The Guardian

This focus on mental health promises to be a long journey.

BBC

Steven Pinker has argued recently that attention to the new human sciences and especially to "evolutionary psychology," the study of the evolutionary history of attitudes, emotions, and mental capabilities, promises "a naturalness in human relationships, encouraging us to treat people in terms of how they do feel rather than how some theory says they ought to feel" (Pinker 2002, xi).

Evolution: Education and Outreach

"The Department is taking this action to ensure that Kaiser promptly corrects these deficiencies and provides its patients with the mental healthcare promised to them by their health plan," Barnhart added.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "mental promise" when you want to emphasize a commitment made internally, without necessarily expressing it to others. It's suitable for describing personal resolutions or intentions.

Common error

Avoid using "mental promise" when referring to commitments made to others. It's specifically about promises you make to yourself. For external commitments, use phrases like "verbal promise" or simply "promise".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mental promise" functions as a noun phrase, where "mental" modifies the noun "promise". It describes a promise made internally, within one's mind. Ludwig shows examples where it refers to personal commitments or resolutions.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "mental promise" is a grammatically correct but infrequently used term to describe an internal commitment or resolution. Ludwig confirms its usage in news and media, but with limited examples. It is best used when emphasizing that a promise is made to oneself. Alternatives such as "private commitment" or "personal vow" might be more common depending on the desired nuance. When choosing between "mental promise" and alternatives, consider whether you want to emphasize the internal, private, or solemn nature of the commitment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

private commitment

Replaces "mental" with "private", emphasizing the personal and internal nature of the commitment.

personal vow

Uses "vow" instead of "promise", suggesting a more solemn and serious intention.

internal pledge

Emphasizes the inward aspect of the commitment using "internal" and "pledge".

silent resolution

Focuses on the unspoken and determined aspect of the decision.

secret assurance

Highlights the confidential and self-given guarantee.

unspoken agreement with oneself

Expands the idea into a more explicit description of the internal negotiation.

self-made commitment

Highlights the origin of the commitment from the self.

private undertaking

Replaces "promise" with "undertaking", implying a task or project one commits to internally.

firm intention

Shifts the focus to the strength and resolve behind the internal decision.

considered decision

Highlights the thoughtfulness and deliberation that went into making the internal commitment.

FAQs

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

You can use "mental promise" to describe an intention or commitment made internally. For example: "After the marathon, I made a "mental promise" to myself to rest for a week."

What's a good alternative to "mental promise"?

Alternatives include "private commitment", "personal vow", or "internal pledge". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "mental promise" a common phrase?

While grammatically correct and understandable, "mental promise" isn't as frequently used as other ways to express a personal commitment. Consider alternatives if you aim for common usage.

Does "mental promise" imply a serious commitment?

The seriousness depends on the context. While "personal vow" might suggest a very strong commitment, "mental promise" can also refer to simple, everyday intentions. The surrounding words will clarify the level of commitment.