promise not to

USAGE SUMMARY

"promise not to" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used in a sentence as a request or commitment to not do something. Example sentence: "I promise not to tell anyone your secret."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

He made her promise not to again.

The New Yorker

"I promise not to disappoint," he wrote.

The New York Times

We promise not to tell.

The New York Times - Food

No promise not to expand its arsenal.

The New York Times

I promise not to steal your joke.

The Guardian - Books

I promise not to call it "market failure".

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

Evelina promises not to.

The New Yorker

Writer promised not to overcook.

The New Yorker

He promised not to raze them.

The New York Times

The governor promised not to raise taxes.

The New York Times

I cautiously promised not to.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conveying a very serious commitment, consider alternatives like "vow not to" or "pledge not to" to add weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "promise not to" when the action is completely outside of your control. A promise implies you have the ability to influence the outcome.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "promise not to" functions as a declarative expression of intent, committing the speaker to refrain from a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to convey a commitment. Examples throughout Ludwig demonstrate its use in both formal and informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

10%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "promise not to" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression to convey a commitment to avoid a particular action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for both formal and informal communication, with frequent usage in news and media. While alternatives like "vow not to" or "pledge not to" can add emphasis, "promise not to" remains a versatile and reliable choice for expressing sincere intention. Be mindful of maintaining realistic expectations when making a promise.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vow not to

Emphasizes a more solemn or formal commitment than "promise not to".

pledge not to

Similar to "vow not to", but can also imply a public declaration.

assure you I won't

More conversational and emphasizes reassurance.

give my word I won't

Highlights the personal integrity behind the commitment.

guarantee I won't

Focuses on the certainty of avoiding the action.

undertake not to

More formal and business-like.

commit not to

Highlights the intentionality of the decision.

swear not to

Suggests a strong, emotional commitment.

reassure you that I won't

Similar to assure you I won't but more formal.

affirm that I will not

Highly formal, suitable for legal or official contexts.

FAQs

How can I use "promise not to" in a sentence?

The phrase "promise not to" is followed by a verb indicating the action you are committing to avoid. For example, "I promise not to tell your secret" or "We promise not to be late again".

What is a more formal alternative to "promise not to"?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "vow not to", "pledge not to", or "undertake not to". These options convey a stronger sense of commitment.

Is it correct to say "I promise to not" instead of "I promise not to"?

While "I promise to not" isn't strictly incorrect, "I promise not to" is the more common and grammatically preferred construction. It's clearer and more concise.

What's the difference between "promise not to" and "guarantee I won't"?

"Promise not to" implies a personal commitment and intention, while "guarantee I won't" suggests a higher level of certainty and assurance, potentially backed by some form of recourse if the action does occur.