vowed

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "vowed" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "vow", which means to make a solemn promise or pledge. You can use the word "vowed" when describing someone making a serious commitment or promise. For example: - She vowed to never give up on her dreams. - The soldiers all vowed to protect their country until their last breath. - I vowed to myself that I would never cheat on a test again. - The couple vowed to love and support each other through thick and thin. - The members of the organization all vowed to work towards a common goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The sister of Troy Davis, the man whose execution a year ago amid substantial evidence that he was innocent sparked protests across the US and the world, has vowed to keep on fighting until the death penalty is ended "one state at a time".

The Guardian

She couldn't quite shatter the glass ceiling in 2008, but she vowed that the "18 million cracks" she had etched in it would help ensure it would yield in the end.

The Guardian - Opinion

A small group of us, including a student recovering from exams, a woman with a broken heart and a pair that had stayed at Zamzam before and vowed to return, gathered for some pre-departure pampering.

The Guardian - Travel

But the DUP leader vowed that when negotiations begin in earnest today he would not be talking directly to the largest republican party.

The Guardian

Another woman with her, who was also raped, "vowed never to speak of it again as she was single and believes that news of her rape would foreclose her chances of marriage".

The Guardian

The Greens remain committed to coalition government, Ireland's environment minister and leader of the Green party, John Gormley, vowed yesterday.

The Guardian

"We shall triumph over all this evil that wants to debase our humanity or obstruct our progress as a nation," he vowed.

The Guardian

One thing is for sure: "I vowed to myself that I will never be one of those flyers," Frood gestures towards a recycling bin that has been filled with adverts from education consultants.

The Guardian

Following the massacre by the Pakistani Taliban of 141 people at a school in Peshawar this week, Pakistan's prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, vowed his country would "continue the war against terrorism until the last terrorist is eliminated".

The Guardian

Fifa president Sepp Blatter has defiantly vowed to repair the rock-bottom reputation of world football's governing body, refusing to quit over the worst corruption scandal in its 111-year history.

The Guardian - Sport

As Swiss prosecutors began questioning 10 Fifa executive committee members over their role in the controversial vote for the 2018 World Cup in Russia and the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Blatter vowed to ride out the storm in a familiar fashion ahead of Friday's presidential election.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vowed" to convey a sense of strong determination and commitment to a particular action or goal. It's particularly effective when describing public declarations or firm resolutions.

Common error

Avoid using "vowed" for everyday promises or casual commitments. Reserve it for situations where the commitment is significant and carries substantial weight.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vowed" is as a verb, specifically the past tense and past participle of "vow". It describes the act of making a solemn promise or declaration. As Ludwig AI confirms, the examples demonstrate its use in reporting commitments and resolutions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "vowed", as confirmed by Ludwig AI, functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb "vow", signifying a solemn promise or declaration. It is frequently used in news and media to report on commitments and resolutions made by individuals and organizations. While grammatically correct and widely accepted, "vowed" carries a sense of strong determination and should be reserved for significant commitments, not trivial matters. Alternatives such as "pledged", "swore", and "promised" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Its prominence in reputable news sources underscores its proper and frequent usage in formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pledged

Emphasizes a formal or public commitment.

swore

Implies a solemn oath, often invoking a higher power or principle.

promised

A general term for making a commitment.

undertook

Highlights the acceptance of a responsibility or task.

committed oneself

Focuses on the personal dedication to a cause or action.

gave an assurance

Highlights the act of providing confidence or certainty.

gave one's word

Emphasizes the personal integrity behind the promise.

guaranteed

Stresses the certainty of the outcome or fulfillment of the promise.

solemnly declared

Focuses on the serious and formal nature of the announcement.

bound oneself

Suggests a strong obligation or duty undertaken.

FAQs

How do I use "vowed" in a sentence?

Use "vowed" as the past tense of the verb "vow" to indicate a solemn promise or determination. For example, "She vowed to fight for justice".

What can I say instead of "vowed"?

You can use alternatives like "pledged", "swore", or "promised" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "promised" and "vowed"?

"Promised" is a general term for making a commitment, while "vowed" implies a more solemn, determined, and often public commitment.

Is it correct to say "has vowed" or should I use another verb tense?

"Has vowed" is perfectly correct as the present perfect tense of "vow", indicating an action that started in the past and continues to have relevance in the present. You can also use other tenses like "will vow" for future intentions.