undertook not to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "undertook not to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in legal or formal contexts to indicate a commitment or promise not to engage in a specific action. Example: "The company undertook not to disclose any confidential information to third parties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

When the British CEO complied, Forrest undertook not to divulge the name of his firm.

The Guardian

"Parveen Sharif accepted that the comments were inappropriate and undertook not to repeat them".

Independent

Mr Kiselev puts it even more bluntly: "During the years of romanticism [ie, detente], the Soviet Union undertook not to use nuclear weapons first.

The Economist

The government's solicitor-general undertook not to make any payments until the court case was concluded.As payments from the government were not forthcoming, Belize Bank invoked the arbitration clause in the 2007 loan agreement and opened proceedings in London.

The Economist

By the Treaty of Chaumont of March 1814, Austria, Russia, Prussia, and Great Britain bound themselves together for 20 years, undertook not to negotiate separately, and promised to continue the struggle until Napoleon was overthrown.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In an agreement with Prussia under the 1852 protocol, the Danish government in return undertook not to tie Schleswig more closely to Denmark than to its sister duchy of Holstein.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

India has undertaken not to use atomic weapons first.

The Economist

Iran undertakes not to build a plant for re-converting uranium oxide back to uranium hexafluoride.

The Guardian

Iran would also undertake not to build a reprocessing facility for extracting plutonium.

The Guardian

Polanski has undertaken not to leave his house and property at any time".

The New York Times

And he was ordered to undertake not to make another record in Cuba without permission.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "undertook not to" in formal writing or legal documents to emphasize a serious commitment. For less formal contexts, consider using "promised not to" or "agreed not to".

Common error

While "undertook not to" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in everyday conversation. Choose simpler alternatives like "promised not to" or "agreed not to" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "undertook not to" functions as a formal expression of commitment, signifying a promise or agreement to refrain from a specific action. Ludwig AI shows it appears in formal contexts, reinforcing this purpose.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "undertook not to" is a formal way of expressing a commitment to avoid a specific action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts, making it suitable for formal and professional writing. While effective for conveying a serious commitment, consider using less formal alternatives in casual conversation. When aiming for clarity and precision in formal documents, "undertook not to" is a reliable choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pledged not to

Implies a solemn promise or vow, often in a public or formal setting. Slightly more emphatic than "undertook".

vowed not to

Indicates a strong and determined promise, often made in response to a specific event or situation. Similar in strength to "pledged".

committed not to

Highlights a firm decision and dedication to avoiding the action. Focuses on the intention and responsibility.

promised not to

A straightforward expression of intent to avoid the action. Less formal than "undertook" but clearly expresses commitment.

agreed not to

Indicates a mutual understanding and acceptance of the commitment. Emphasizes the collaborative aspect.

consented not to

Suggests a formal agreement or permission withheld, specifically related to the action in question.

contracted not to

Used in legal or formal contexts to indicate a binding agreement not to perform a specific action. Highlights the legal obligation.

bound themselves not to

Indicates a formal and often legal obligation to avoid a specific action, emphasizing the binding nature of the agreement.

guaranteed not to

Emphasizes the assurance or certainty that the action will not occur, often implying a strong sense of responsibility.

assured not to

Focuses on providing confidence or reassurance that the action will not be taken, emphasizing the speaker's intent to prevent it.

FAQs

What does "undertook not to" mean?

The phrase "undertook not to" means someone has formally committed or promised not to do something. It implies a serious intention to avoid a specific action.

When is it appropriate to use "undertook not to"?

It's best to use "undertook not to" in formal contexts, such as legal documents, official statements, or when emphasizing the seriousness of a commitment. In everyday conversation, simpler alternatives like "promised not to" or "agreed not to" may be more appropriate.

Are there any synonyms for "undertook not to"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "pledged not to", "vowed not to", or "committed not to" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How does "undertook not to" differ from "promised not to"?

"Undertook not to" is more formal and suggests a greater level of seriousness and commitment than "promised not to". The latter is a more common and less formal way to express an intention to avoid doing something.