serious pledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "serious pledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a commitment or promise that is significant or earnest in nature. Example: "The organization made a serious pledge to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% over the next decade."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"People need to know that this is a serious pledge that they can bank," he told ITV News.

The Guardian

Making any serious pledge has been a political challenge in many countries, including the United States, where President Obama has encountered vociferous opposition in Congress.

The New York Times

The decision on the export licence application has been deferred until 5 July and this could be pushed back to 5 January 2019 if there is a serious pledge to raise the money for the asking price.

The Guardian - Arts

For all the lols it might generate, Harman is right to defend the colour of the bus, because to make a serious pledge to address women's issues, you have to be conspicuous.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"We have some serious pledges". Sportsmanship doesn't end with La Cañada football.

Los Angeles Times

The United Nations tried to make this year's climate meeting a summit focused on finance, but the Green Climate Fund, which is supposed to provide $100 billion every year by 2020 for adaptation and mitigation efforts, remains empty, and there's no sign that rich countries will come to the table in Warsaw with any serious pledges.

Huffington Post

Above all, Hamas will retain its power until there is a peace process which offers a serious international pledge that one day the occupation will end.Hamas is confident that such international rescue will not come.

The Economist

The players' union, which unlike M.L.B. is empowered to police agents, initially acknowledged that the allegations were serious, and pledged to investigate.

The New York Times - Sports

Josie Rourke, artistic director of the Donmar Warehouse, said: "It feels very good, in an election year, to be able to say, look how healthy we are, look at what the relationship between subsidised and commercial is and how that returns real revenues and great work... and please make some serious arts pledges in your manifesto".

The Guardian - Film

Mr. McCain added: "If the president were serious about his pledge for change, he would veto this bill.

The New York Times

If President Bush is serious about his pledge to "leave no child behind" he would invest more money in a program that works.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "serious pledge" to emphasize the importance and sincerity of a commitment. It conveys a stronger sense of responsibility than a simple promise.

Common error

Avoid using "serious pledge" in overly casual situations. While grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in informal conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "promise" or "word" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious pledge" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "serious" modifies the noun "pledge". It commonly acts as the object of a verb or the subject complement, signifying a firm and significant commitment. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious pledge" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to emphasize a strong commitment. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, its relatively low frequency suggests it's not an everyday phrase. Its primary function is to add weight and sincerity to a promise. Usage analysis reveals its prevalence in news, formal business, and academic spheres, pointing to a register ranging from neutral to professional. For alternative phrasing, consider "solemn vow" or "firm commitment". Overusing the phrase can make your speech sound too formal, so it's recommended to use it sparingly. Remember that "serious pledge" should be kept for solemn promises and is not for everyday use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

firm commitment

Emphasizes the strength and resolve behind the undertaking, using "commitment" as an alternative to "pledge".

earnest promise

Substitutes "serious" with "earnest", highlighting sincerity and genuine intent behind the promise.

solemn vow

Replaces "pledge" with a more formal and weighty term, emphasizing the gravity of the commitment.

sincere undertaking

Replaces "pledge" with "undertaking", suggesting a formal and heartfelt commitment.

genuine assurance

Conveys a sense of authenticity and reliability in the promise being made.

significant guarantee

Highlights the importance and weight of the guarantee being given.

determined resolution

Focuses on the resolve and decisiveness behind the commitment.

binding agreement

Emphasizes the legal or formal nature of the pledge, suggesting it is enforceable.

formal declaration

Highlights the official and public nature of the pledge.

assured word

Offers a simpler, more direct way to express a promise with confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "serious pledge" in a sentence?

You can use "serious pledge" to describe a commitment that is significant and earnest. For example, "The company made a "serious pledge" to reduce its carbon emissions."

What are some alternatives to "serious pledge"?

Alternatives include "solemn vow", "earnest promise", or "firm commitment" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "very serious pledge"?

While grammatically correct, saying "very serious pledge" can be redundant. The word "serious" already implies a significant level of importance, so adding "very" may not add much additional emphasis.

When is it appropriate to use "serious pledge" instead of "promise"?

"Serious pledge" is best used when the commitment carries significant weight or consequences. A simple "promise" might suffice for everyday situations, but a "serious pledge" implies a higher level of dedication and accountability.