pledged not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pledged not to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a commitment or promise to refrain from doing something. Example: "The organization pledged not to engage in any unethical practices."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They pledged not to run issue ads.

The New York Times

She pledged not to waste food.

The New York Times

They have pledged not to let it happen again.

The Economist

Mr Groves has pledged not to use sampling in 2010.

The Economist

(He himself has already pledged not to seek re-election).

The New York Times

President Bush has pledged not to repeat that mistake.

The New York Times

The company has pledged not to shut out competing voices.

The New York Times

Many small shareholders have pledged not to sell to Usmanov.

The Guardian

In fact, they have pledged not to evict any landowners.

The New York Times

Mr. Bloomberg originally pledged not to grant retroactive raises.

The New York Times

He has pledged not to "trivialize" the role of the lieutenant governor.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pledged not to", ensure the commitment is specific and the context clearly defines what is being avoided.

Common error

Avoid making pledges that are too broad or difficult to keep. Vague promises can undermine trust and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pledged not to" primarily functions as a declarative expression of commitment or promise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from political promises to corporate guarantees, all signifying a firm intention to avoid a specified action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pledged not to" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express a commitment or promise to avoid a specific action. As Ludwig AI explains, its usage spans various contexts, primarily appearing in news and media, where individuals or organizations assure others of their intentions. While generally neutral in tone, the formality can vary based on the context, with alternatives like "promised not to" or "vowed not to" offering nuances in emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity and feasibility of the commitment to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promised not to

Replaces "pledged" with "promised", a direct synonym, maintaining the commitment aspect.

vowed not to

Uses "vowed" instead of "pledged", emphasizing a solemn promise.

committed not to

Substitutes "pledged" with "committed", highlighting dedication to avoiding something.

undertook not to

Replaces "pledged" with "undertook", suggesting a formal agreement or responsibility.

gave an assurance not to

Expresses the commitment as an assurance, adding a layer of guarantee.

guaranteed not to

Uses "guaranteed" to emphasize a strong commitment and certainty.

reassured that they would not

Focuses on the act of reassuring someone about avoiding an action.

made a commitment to refrain from

Expresses the commitment with a more formal and elaborate structure.

bound themselves not to

Suggests a formal or legal obligation to avoid something.

swore off

Informal way of saying pledged not to, suggesting a strong personal decision.

FAQs

What does "pledged not to" mean?

The phrase "pledged not to" means someone has made a serious promise or commitment to avoid doing something. It indicates a firm intention to refrain from a particular action.

What can I say instead of "pledged not to"?

You can use alternatives like "promised not to", "vowed not to", or "committed not to" depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it better to say "pledged not to" or "promised not to"?

Both "pledged not to" and "promised not to" are correct, but "pledged" often implies a more formal or solemn commitment than "promised".

How do I use "pledged not to" in a sentence?

You can use "pledged not to" followed by a verb phrase indicating the action being avoided. For example, "The company pledged not to raise prices" or "He pledged not to reveal the secret".