uphold the pledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "uphold the pledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of maintaining or honoring a commitment or promise made. Example: "As a community, we must uphold the pledge to protect our environment for future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

If the King abused his position, it was his subject's duty to correct this, thereby upholding the pledge of the Boulogne agreement to protect the rights of the Crown.

Wikipedia

Dora and Woodrow instilled in him the importance of loyalty, a virtue tested but never compromised after he orally committed to the University of Georgia as a high school junior, upholding the nonbinding pledge for a full 16 months — fending off, among others, Urban Meyer on a visit to Green's high school — before signing day.

The New York Times - Sports

"For every American who is trying to do the right thing, for all those people in government who are honoring the pledge to uphold the law and honor the Constitution," Mr. Biden said, "no longer will you hear the eight most-dreaded words in the English language, 'The vice president's office is on the phone.' " MICHAEL FALCONE.

The New York Times

But it will be a struggle to uphold that pledge, given the maddening nature of his opponents.

The New York Times

And we renew our pledge to uphold the timeless principles of freedom, equality and opportunity that have made our country into a great nation.

The New York Times

He has been dishonored, rightly so, because he chose to honor his promises to secret political backers rather than his pledge to uphold the law.

The New York Times

That reminder set up Bush's observation that "a president himself must be responsible," significantly followed by his pledge to "uphold the honor and dignity of the office," which most voters believe Clinton failed to do.

The New York Times

In the spirit of openness the Saudi government could list the names of companies involved in the building projects and these companies could in turn make a pledge to uphold the rights of workers in a way that not only adheres to national legislation but also the spirit of hajj.

The Guardian - Opinion

That oath contains a pledge to uphold the laws put in place after the former British colony returned to Chinese control in 1997, as well as to "serve the Hong Kong special administrative region conscientiously, dutifully, in full accordance with the law, honestly and with integrity".

The Guardian

"I also pledge to uphold the institution of marriage through personal fidelity to my spouse and respect for the marital bonds of others" comes straight from the original.

Huffington Post

I also pledge to uphold the institution of marriage through personal fidelity to my spouse and respect for the marital bonds of others.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "uphold the pledge", ensure that the context clearly defines what the pledge entails to avoid ambiguity. Being specific about the terms of the pledge strengthens the commitment's perceived value and enforceability.

Common error

Avoid using "uphold the pledge" without clearly specifying what the pledge consists of. Overly general references can weaken the impact and create confusion, undermining the intended message of commitment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "uphold the pledge" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of supporting, maintaining, and honoring a previously made promise or agreement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "uphold the pledge" functions as a verb phrase that conveys the act of maintaining and honoring a commitment. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. To maximize clarity and impact, ensure that the specific details of the pledge are well-defined when employing this phrase. Alternatives such as ""honor the commitment"" or ""keep the promise"" offer similar meanings and can be used depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

honor the commitment

Focuses on the act of honoring, emphasizing respect and integrity in fulfilling the commitment.

keep the promise

Emphasizes the act of maintaining and fulfilling a promise that was made.

stand by the agreement

Implies unwavering support and adherence to the terms of an agreement.

fulfill the obligation

Highlights the completion of a duty or requirement as per the pledge.

abide by the vow

Focuses on adherence to a solemn declaration or promise.

maintain the undertaking

Underscores the continuous effort to preserve and fulfill a commitment.

adhere to the terms

Highlights compliance with the specific conditions and stipulations of the pledge.

respect the accord

Emphasizes showing deference and compliance to a formal agreement.

carry out the assurance

Highlights the execution and completion of something guaranteed.

observe the covenant

Focuses on careful and sustained compliance with a binding agreement.

FAQs

What does it mean to "uphold the pledge"?

To "uphold the pledge" means to maintain, support, and honor a commitment or promise that has been made. It implies a sense of duty and responsibility in ensuring that the terms of the pledge are respected and adhered to.

How can I use "uphold the pledge" in a sentence?

You can use "uphold the pledge" in a sentence to describe someone's commitment to keeping a promise or agreement. For example, "The president vowed to "uphold the pledge" to reduce carbon emissions".

What are some alternatives to "uphold the pledge"?

Some alternatives to "uphold the pledge" include "honor the commitment", "keep the promise", or "stand by the agreement". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "uphold a pledge" or "uphold the pledge"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "uphold the pledge" is more common when referring to a specific, previously mentioned, or well-known commitment. "Uphold a pledge" might be used when introducing a new, unspecified commitment.