pledges

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pledges" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to promises or commitments made by individuals or organizations, often in a formal context. Example: "The organization made several pledges to support environmental sustainability initiatives in the community."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Flint made the comments in the week that countries had a deadline for submitting their pledges for managing their greenhouse gas emissions.

The Guardian

Lamb is worried that pledges he and then deputy prime minister Nick Clegg made to introduce a waiting time target for patients needing treatment for eating disorders may not be honoured.

The Guardian

Related Conservativee party pledges extra £8bn a year for NHS In 2011 the government launched the health visiting programme, aimed at increasing the number of health visitors to over 12,200 by March 2015.

The Guardian

Related: Labour manifesto pledges to boost minimum wage and cut deficit Miliband is determined to junk the post-Thatcher consensus that promoting economic growth meant protecting "wealth-creators" at the top of society – a view he and his supporters believe was comprehensively disproved by the great recession and its aftermath.

The Guardian

On the Saudi side, the departure of US troops stationed in the country to neighbouring Qatar was meant to debunk jihadi pledges to "remove infidels from the Arabian peninsula".

The Guardian

That seems to have been the moment when Barclays abandoned its freshly-minted pledges about paying less and instead threw money at the would-be defectors to persuade them to stay (with only partial success) in order to "defend the franchise".

The Guardian - Business

Carrying out a referendum was one of these pledges".

The Guardian

Weak school leaders will be forced out and an additional 500 free schools will be established, according to its pledges.

The Guardian

Four years ago in Cancún, Mexico, nations recognised the dangers of warming exceeding the 2C increase and more than 100 governments gave national pledges to reduce emissions, by 2020, accounting for more than 80% of the annual output of greenhouse gas pollution.

The Guardian

Our three "energy-saving pledges" are to not leave things plugged in or on standby, to make sure we don't run the washing machine and dishwasher overnight so they stay on for hours, and carrying on with our cooking challenge – making lots in one go so we can reheat it later in the week, rather than cooking lots of separate meals.

The Guardian

For those who looked closely at the SNP and Scottish Labour manifestos, however, beyond Trident the pledges and philosophy therein appeared virtually identical, Sturgeon having belatedly followed Labour's lead (rather than the other way round) on a mansion tax, bankers' bonus and abolition of non-dom status.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pledges" when you want to emphasize a formal or public promise. This term carries more weight than a simple promise.

Common error

Ensure that "pledges" are backed by realistic plans and resources. Empty promises can damage credibility. Always specify the actions and timelines associated with any "pledges" made.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pledges" is as a plural noun. It typically acts as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple promises or commitments. As Ludwig AI confirms, this aligns with standard grammar rules and is reflected in various examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pledges" functions as a plural noun, denoting formal promises or commitments. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and formal business contexts. While alternatives like "commitments" or "assurances" exist, "pledges" carries a specific connotation of public or formal declarations. When employing "pledges", clarity and substantiation are key to maintain credibility. The frequency analysis reveals its prevalence in news and media sources, solidifying its role in conveying information and accountability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commitments

Indicates a firm decision to do something, similar to a pledge but can also refer to general involvement.

promises

Refers to assurances that something will happen, closely related to pledges but often used in less formal contexts.

assurances

Highlights the act of giving confidence or certainty, emphasizing the reliability of the commitment.

guarantees

Implies a formal assurance, often with legal or contractual implications, suggesting a high degree of certainty.

undertakings

Denotes a formal promise or agreement, often used in business or legal settings to signify a serious commitment.

vows

Suggests a solemn promise or oath, often made publicly or in a formal ceremony, highlighting the seriousness of the commitment.

agreements

Refers to a mutual understanding or arrangement, emphasizing the collaborative aspect of the commitment.

engagements

Indicates a formal agreement or commitment to participate in something, highlighting active involvement.

declarations

Emphasizes the act of formally announcing or stating a commitment, often publicly.

affirmations

Highlights the act of confirming or stating something is true, emphasizing a positive assertion of commitment.

FAQs

How to use "pledges" in a sentence?

You can use "pledges" to refer to formal promises or commitments, as in "The government made several "commitments" to reduce carbon emissions" or "The company announced its "donations" to support local charities".

What can I say instead of "pledges"?

You can use alternatives like "commitments", "promises", or "assurances" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pledges" or "pledge"?

"Pledges" is the plural form of "pledge" and is used when referring to multiple promises or commitments. "Pledge" is the singular form, used for a single promise or commitment.

What's the difference between "pledges" and "promises"?

While both "pledges" and "promises" refer to commitments, "pledges" often implies a more formal or public declaration, while "promises" can be more informal.