swear to work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "swear to work" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to express a commitment to work, but it lacks clarity and proper context. Example: "I swear to work diligently on this project and meet all deadlines."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Farther north, it was a nice idea, this European Union and euro-zone: Let's have a monetary union and a common currency but let everyone run their own fiscal policy, as long as they swear to work and save like Germans.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In a memo to the City Council's Budget and Finance Committee, city policy analysts said the Los Angeles Police Department may request an additional 122 positions next year, all but four of them sworn, to work in the department's growing camera operation.

Los Angeles Times

"A loss on confidence in the integrity of how the case is being handled further erodes the fabric of trust in the criminal justice system and those sworn to work on behalf of the public," the clergymen said.

Vice

Its new leaders swore to make democracy work in a multi-religious, multi-lingual, multi-ethnic region that had never been under unified rule.

The Economist

"I swear to God, I work for studios, and that happens.

The Guardian - Film

It's contained in a massive list of duties for state legislative coordinators, a list so long that it's not clear when coordinators would have time to work for the citizens of their state, a list complete with an agreement signature sheet where the coordinator would swear to complete the work for ALEC.

Huffington Post

Upski, however, swore never to work for XXL again.

The New York Times

Then two years later, the country turned around and elected a House Republican majority that has absolutely sworn not to work with the Democrats on anything.

The New York Times

I was heartbroken, but I never swore not to work at Fox.

Forbes

Even if Wilders had won, other Dutch parties had long sworn never to work with him due to his discriminatory platform.

Huffington Post

It records both considerable frustration - "If this doesn't work I swear to god... ..... - and tenderness - "Miss you too sweetheart" - along with some messages to Kogut that in any other context might be seen as teasing: "sorry but someone has to" and "I expect chocolate chip pancakes upon my arrival".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the phrase "swear to work", opt for stronger, more standard alternatives like "promise to work" or "commit to working" to clearly convey your intent to dedicate yourself to a task.

Common error

Avoid using "swear to work" because "swear" usually implies making a solemn oath or affirmation, often in a legal or formal context. Using it in the context of simply agreeing to work can sound unnatural or overly dramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "swear to work" functions as a statement of intent or commitment. However, Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not correct in standard written English. It aims to express dedication to a task but lacks clarity. Stronger alternatives include “promise to work” or “commit to working”.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "swear to work" might be understood, it's not considered standard English. Ludwig AI identifies it as incorrect, recommending stronger alternatives like “promise to work” or “commit to working”. The usage is rare, primarily found in News & Media contexts, but lacks the formality needed in academic or professional settings. To ensure clarity and precision, opt for more conventional phrases to express your dedication to a task.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

promise to work

Replaces "swear" with a more common and straightforward expression of commitment.

commit to working

Uses "commit" to emphasize dedication and replaces "swear" with a more formal verb.

pledge to work

Substitutes "swear" with "pledge", indicating a solemn promise.

vow to work

Employs "vow" to suggest a strong, determined commitment.

undertake to work

Uses "undertake" for a more formal and official tone of commitment.

dedicate oneself to work

Emphasizes self-devotion and effort toward work.

resolve to work

Indicates a firm decision and commitment to engage in work.

assure to work

Expresses confidence and certainty in performing work.

guarantee to work

Implies a strong assurance of performing the work effectively.

agree to work

Indicates a formal acceptance of the obligation to work.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "swear to work"?

You can use alternatives like "promise to work", "commit to working", or "pledge to work" depending on the context.

Is "swear to work" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "swear to work" is not considered grammatically correct in standard English. It's better to use phrases like "promise to work" or "commit to working".

How can I use "commit to working" in a sentence?

You can say, "I commit to working diligently on this project to ensure its success".

What is the difference between "swear to work" and "promise to work"?

"Promise to work" is a more common and less formal way to express your dedication to a task. "Swear to work", while understandable, is not standard usage and may sound odd.