promises

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'promises' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the commitments or assurances made by one person to another. For example: "I made a promise to my parents that I would finish college, and I intend to keep it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The political rhetoric over immigration will further intensify on Monday as David Cameron promises to ban all EU nationals from claiming most benefits after six months in the UK unless they can prove they have been continuously looking for work over that period.

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

President Rahmon's office promises the new building will be the "most beautiful" in central Asia and will include three large concert halls, with "necessary world-class features".

The Guardian

Yet for all of this effort, the polls have barely moved in months, a hung parliament looks inevitable and the manifestos have been written as coalition bargaining positions rather than binding promises.

The Guardian - Opinion

Another sign of dissent could be detected in the last days of "really existing socialism", when protesting crowds sang official songs, including national anthems, to remind the powers of their unfulfilled promises.

The Guardian

Billing it as an alternative to "lame-stream" TV and partnered with new media group Tapp, Palin promises to tackle ideas "Washington doesn't want you to hear" and to "cut through the media's politically correct filter".

The Guardian

I invested a lot of time and work in them, but they did not deliver on their promises of peace.

The Guardian

Some believe it may be time to call Zanu-PF's bluff by lifting sanctions and testing whether the party can deliver on its promises, with no one else to blame.

The Guardian

It was with sadness the following morning that I said goodbye to the women and their kids, amid promises to meet up in London.

The Guardian - Travel

Her live show promises a true trip, with support from Rikki Humphrey and Mr Redley.

The Guardian - Music

Related: David Cameron promises to double free childcare and revive right to buy "Hang on a minute," Cameron should have said when presented with his speech.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When conveying a sense of expectation or potential, choose more suitable words such as prospects or opportunities to avoid implying a guaranteed outcome

Common error

Avoid using "promises" when describing future events that are not guaranteed. Instead, use words like "suggests", "indicates", or "anticipates" to convey uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "promises" is that of a noun, often used as the plural form to denote multiple commitments or assurances. It can also function as a verb, specifically the third-person singular present tense form of "promise", indicating an action of committing to something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "promises" is a versatile word functioning primarily as a noun to indicate multiple commitments or assurances, while also serving as a verb in its third-person singular form. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage adheres to standard grammatical rules. With high frequency across varied contexts, including News & Media and Formal & Business domains, it maintains a neutral register. When deploying "promises", ensure context and intention align to avoid misinterpretations. It's crucial to ensure that its used where an actual commitment has been made, rather than when simply expressing expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

commitments

Emphasizes obligations or engagements undertaken.

assurances

Focuses on the act of giving confidence or certainty.

pledges

Highlights a solemn or formal declaration of intent.

guarantees

Stresses the security or certainty of a particular outcome.

undertakings

Implies a formal agreement to do something.

vows

Suggests a sacred or deeply personal commitment.

covenants

Denotes a formal and binding agreement or pact.

warrants

Conveys assurance about the quality or condition of something.

contractual obligations

Highlights legally binding agreements.

agreements

A broad term for mutual understandings or arrangements.

FAQs

How can I use "promises" in a sentence?

You can use "promises" to refer to commitments or assurances, such as "The company made "promises" of better healthcare." It can also refer to potential outcomes or expectations, such as "The project "promises" to be a success".

What are some alternatives to the word "promises"?

Alternatives include "commitments", "assurances", "pledges", or "guarantees", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "make a promise" or "give a promise"?

"Make a promise" is more common and idiomatic. While "give a promise" is understandable, it's less frequently used.

What is the difference between "promises" and "predictions"?

"Promises" imply a commitment to ensure something happens, while "predictions" are statements about what one believes will happen, without necessarily implying any control over the outcome.