promised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "promised" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone has made a commitment or assurance about something in the past. Example: "She promised to help me with my project by the end of the week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I want to bring our country together, our United Kingdom together, not least by implementing as fast as we can the devolution that we rightly promised and came together with other parties to agree both for Wales and for Scotland.

The Guardian

Two other senior GOP sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the party's leadership had promised to give the controversial bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Protection Act, floor time in the 114th Congress.

The Guardian

There are promises on tax avoidance and evasion, something promised by successive governments which is often easier to announce than to achieve.

The Guardian - Opinion

Labour has already promised 25 hours of free care each week for parents of three- and four-year-olds – up from the current 15 hours.

The Guardian - Opinion

Last Thursday, the party promised 20 hours of care a week.

The Guardian - Opinion

The generation who grew up surrounded by acknowledgements that they had dignity, bravery and the capacity for greatness were, unsurprisingly, nifty voters - the first chance they got, they elected a government which promised to reward their sacrifices with a welfare state.

The Guardian

The show that Montella had promised turned out to be a glorious one.

The Guardian - Sport

And Lucas promised to be a beacon in the Commons for those who opposed what she called "five more years of savage austerity".

The Guardian

There is also deep concern that more than four years after Qatar was awarded the 2022 World Cup, the country's minister of labour has admitted that there is no set timetable to introduce even the modest reforms it promised in May 2014.

The Guardian

Guardian Australia's editor-in-chief Katharine Viner, who is also deputy editor of the Guardian, promised to deliver an independent perspective on Australian and world news using "digital storytelling" to spark debate and put readers at the heart of the discussion.

The Guardian

The prime minister and nominal head of the AK party, Ahmet Davutoglu, had promised to resign if he failed to obtain a simple parliamentary majority.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "promised", ensure that the subject is capable of fulfilling the promise. Avoid using it in situations where the subject lacks the authority or resources to deliver on the commitment.

Common error

Avoid overstating the implications of a "promise". Ensure the commitment is realistic and achievable. Overpromising can lead to mistrust and disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The word "promised" primarily functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "promise". Ludwig AI confirms that it signifies a past commitment or assurance. The examples show its usage in reporting statements and actions that were previously committed to.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "promised" is the past tense of the verb "promise", indicating a prior commitment or assurance. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and widespread use. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in formal business settings and sports reporting. While versatile, users should ensure the commitment is realistic and the subject is capable of fulfilling the promise. By using alternatives like "vowed" or "pledged", you can adjust the formality and nuance of your writing, making the choice of "promised" one that requires considering context and desired impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pledged

Similar to "vowed" but can also imply a more public or official commitment.

vowed

Conveys a strong, solemn promise, often used in formal contexts.

gave their word

Emphasizes the personal commitment and honesty behind the promise.

assured

Offers reassurance or confidence to someone.

committed

Implies dedication and a firm decision to do something.

guaranteed

Suggests a high degree of certainty and assurance that something will happen.

gave a commitment

Focuses on the act of making a firm promise or pledge.

undertook

A more formal way of saying someone took on the responsibility to do something.

gave an assurance

Highlights the act of providing a guarantee or promise.

contracted

Indicates a formal agreement or legal obligation.

FAQs

How can I use "promised" in a sentence?

You can use "promised" to indicate that someone has made a commitment or assurance about something in the past. For example, "She "promised" to help me with my project by the end of the week."

What are some alternatives to using "promised"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "vowed", "pledged", or "assured".

What is the difference between "promised" and "guaranteed"?

"Promised" implies a commitment or assurance, while "guaranteed" suggests a high degree of certainty and assurance that something will happen. "Guaranteed" conveys a stronger sense of certainty.

Is it correct to say "they promised to gave"?

No, it is incorrect. The correct form is "they "promised" to give". The word "gave" should be "give" after the infinitive "to".