Cool MateAssure vs Swear to God
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Assure
Top 1,000 (very common)B2verb
Swear to God
InformalTop 3,000 (common)
Most formal: AssureMost common: Assure
| Assure | Swear to God | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈʃʊə(r)//əˈʃɔː(r)/","/əˈʃʊəz//əˈʃɔːz/","/əˈʃʊəd//əˈʃɔːd/","/əˈʃʊərɪŋ//əˈʃɔːrɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈʃʊr/","/əˈʃʊrz/","/əˈʃʊrd/","/əˈʃʊrɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //swɛə tʊ ɡɒd//🇺🇸 //swɛr tə ɡɑd// |
| Meaning | To make someone feel sure about something | To promise seriously, often while making a strong statement. |
| Example | I assure you that everything will be fine. | I swear to God, I didn’t take your book! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | can, hasten to, of, let me assure you | swear to God that, I swear to God, swear to God in court |
| 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. | Using it in a formal context., Confusing it with 'swear on the Bible' which has a religious connotation. |
| 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. | Used in informal contexts to emphasize honesty or seriousness. Not suitable for formal writing or discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Assure vs Swear to God
What's the difference between Assure and Swear to God?
Assure: To make someone feel sure about something Swear to God: To promise seriously, often while making a strong statement.
Which is more formal: Assure and Swear to God?
Assure is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Assure and Swear to God?
Assure is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Assure: I assure you that everything will be fine. Swear to God: I swear to God, I didn’t take your book!
Can I use Assure and Swear to God interchangeably?
Not always. Assure and Swear to God 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.