was promised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was promised" is correct and usable in written English.
It is the past tense form of the verb "to promise" and can be used when describing something that was guaranteed or committed to someone in the past. Example: "I was promised a raise at my job, but it never came."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Money was promised.

The New York Times - Books

Live tracking was promised.

The New Yorker

He was promised nothing.

The New York Times - Sports

I was promised flying cars.

Cornell University

What was promised?

The Washington Post

Promotion was promised.

The Guardian - Sport

More still was promised.

The New York Times

These I was promised.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was promised fireworks.

The Guardian - Sport

"I was promised the world," he remembers.

Independent

He was promised low numbers of children".

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was promised" when you want to emphasize a commitment or expectation that was made in the past. For example, "The funding was promised before the project started."

Common error

Avoid using "was promise". The correct form is "was promised", as it's the past participle of the verb 'to promise'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was promised" functions as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something received a promise. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to describe commitments or guarantees given in the past. For instance, "He was promised nothing." uses a passive voice to highlight what he received.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

12%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was promised" is a grammatically correct and very common passive construction used to indicate that someone received a promise or assurance in the past. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English and the examples illustrate diverse contexts of usage across news, science, and business domains.

Its function is to convey an expectation or commitment, and it maintains a generally neutral tone suitable for various communication styles. When writing, ensure the correct tense and avoid the incorrect form "was promise". Related phrases such as "was guaranteed" or "was assured" can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired. The high frequency and broad applicability of "was promised" make it a valuable phrase in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was guaranteed

Emphasizes a firm assurance or warranty.

was assured

Highlights the act of being told something with confidence.

was pledged

Implies a formal or solemn commitment.

was committed

Focuses on the dedication of resources or effort.

was slated

Suggests a scheduled or planned event.

was designated

Highlights the assignment of a specific role or purpose.

was earmarked

Emphasizes that something was specifically set aside for a purpose.

was anticipated

Focuses on the expectation of something happening.

was expected

Similar to 'anticipated' but can imply a stronger sense of obligation.

was due

Suggests that something should have already happened or will happen soon.

FAQs

How can I use "was promised" in a sentence?

The phrase "was promised" indicates that something was assured or guaranteed to someone. For example, "I "was promised a raise" after my first year".

What is a good alternative to "was promised"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "was promised" could include "was guaranteed", "was assured", or "was pledged". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is "was promise" grammatically correct?

No, "was promise" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was promised", using the past participle of the verb 'to promise'.

What's the difference between "was promised" and "is promised"?

"Was promised" refers to a promise made in the past, while "is promised" refers to a promise made in the present. For example, "He "was promised" a bonus last year" (past) versus "He "is promised" a bonus if he meets his sales goals" (present).