pledge to protect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pledge to protect" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a commitment or promise to safeguard someone or something. Example: "The organization made a pledge to protect the environment for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Obama's administration made good on his pledge to protect the open internet, passing strong net neutrality protections in 2015.

The Guardian - Opinion

-- As Republican candidates pledge to protect Americans with preexisting conditions, nearly all continue to resist extending health protections to their poorest constituents.

Los Angeles Times

Mining companies pledge to protect rivers threatened by their operations.

The New York Times

It makes a mockery of the pledge to protect education spending".

Independent

During one very popular Indian festival, Rakhi, brothers pledge to protect their sisters for life.

The Guardian - Opinion

On the morning Mr. Suharto resigned, General Wiranto made a public pledge to protect his interests.

The New York Times

Putin's February pledge to protect journalists is welcome, though long overdue.

The Guardian - Opinion

He made a personal pledge to protect the man's identity if he came forward.

The Guardian

As such, we warmly welcome Labour's pledge to protect the entire education budget, including the early years, in real terms".

The Guardian

There could also be cuts in some areas of public health spending, despite the Government's pledge to protect the NHS.

Independent

On June 4, the North Carolina legislature passed the state budget, abiding by its pledge to protect city revenues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pledge to protect", ensure that the object of protection is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying "We pledge to protect," specify "We pledge to protect the environment."

Common error

While "pledge to protect" is generally acceptable, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Consider stronger, more precise alternatives such as "commit to safeguarding" or "guarantee the preservation of" to enhance the text's authority.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pledge to protect" functions as an infinitive phrase, acting as a noun or adjective depending on the context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it typically expresses a commitment or promise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "pledge to protect" is a common and grammatically correct infinitive phrase used to express a formal commitment to safeguard something. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability. It's predominantly found in news and media contexts, as well as formal business settings, indicating a neutral to slightly formal register. While widely used, it's important to ensure clarity in what is being protected and to consider stronger alternatives in highly formal writing. Related phrases include "commit to safeguarding" and "promise to defend", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vow to safeguard

Replaces 'pledge' with 'vow' and 'protect' with 'safeguard', both near synonyms, resulting in a slightly more formal tone.

promise to defend

Substitutes 'pledge' with 'promise' and 'protect' with 'defend', focusing on active defense against threats.

commit to preserving

Changes 'pledge' to 'commit' and 'protect' to 'preserving', emphasizing long-term maintenance and care.

undertake to secure

Replaces 'pledge' with 'undertake' and 'protect' with 'secure', suggesting a more formal and assured commitment.

resolve to conserve

Substitutes 'pledge' with 'resolve' and 'protect' with 'conserve', highlighting a firm decision to maintain something's current state.

assure the safety of

Shifts the structure to focus on assuring safety rather than a direct action of protection.

guarantee the security of

Emphasizes a guaranteed level of security, rather than a general promise to protect.

dedicate oneself to shielding

Expresses a strong, personal commitment to shielding something from harm.

swear to uphold

Replaces "pledge to protect" with a more formal and solemn vow to uphold something.

make a commitment to preserve

Turns the phrase into a commitment to preserve, focusing on maintaining the current state.

FAQs

How can I use "pledge to protect" in a sentence?

The phrase "pledge to protect" is used to express a formal promise or commitment to safeguard someone or something. For example, "The organization made a "pledge to protect" endangered species".

What are some alternatives to "pledge to protect"?

You can use alternatives like "commit to safeguarding", "promise to defend", or "vow to safeguard" depending on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is "pledge to protect" formal or informal?

"Pledge to protect" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for use in news articles, formal statements, and commitments. More formal contexts may benefit from alternatives such as "undertake to secure".

What's the difference between "pledge to protect" and "promise to protect"?

While both phrases convey a commitment, ""pledge to protect"" often implies a more formal or public declaration. "Promise to protect" can be used in more personal or informal contexts, though it's still quite similar in meaning.