Cool MateAssure vs Promise me
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Promise me
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Assure
| Assure | Promise me | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈʃʊə(r)//əˈʃɔː(r)/","/əˈʃʊəz//əˈʃɔːz/","/əˈʃʊəd//əˈʃɔːd/","/əˈʃʊərɪŋ//əˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈʃʊr/","/əˈʃʊrz/","/əˈʃʊrd/","/əˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ˈprɒmɪs miː//🇺🇸 //ˈprɑːmɪs mi// |
| Meaning | To make someone feel sure about something | Say you'll do something or keep a secret. |
| Example | I assure you that everything will be fine. | Please, promise me you'll be there tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | can, hasten to, of, let me assure you | make a promise, keep a promise, broken promise, if you promise, promise to |
| Antonyms | doubt, disprove, deny | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'ensure' which means to make certain something happens., Using it without a direct object; 'I assure that...' is incorrect., Mixing up 'assure' with 'insure' which relates to insurance. | Confused about who can promise - both people can make a promise., Using it without a specific object or context., Overusing it in casual conversations. |
| Usage notes | Use 'assure' when you want to promise someone that something is true or will happen. It’s often used in more formal situations. Avoid using it in casual conversations where simpler verbs like 'tell' or 'say' might fit better. | Typically used in informal contexts. Avoid in overly formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assure vs Promise me
What's the difference between Assure and Promise me?
Assure: To make someone feel sure about something Promise me: Say you'll do something or keep a secret.
Which is more common: Assure and Promise me?
Assure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assure: I assure you that everything will be fine. Promise me: Please, promise me you'll be there tomorrow.
Can I use Assure and Promise me interchangeably?
Not always. Assure and Promise me are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.