Cool MateI know i broke my oath vs Promise
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I know i broke my oath
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Promise
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Most common: Promise
| I know i broke my oath | Promise | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aʊθ//🇺🇸 //oʊθ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprɒmɪs/","/ˈprɒmɪsɪz/","/ˈprɒmɪst/","/ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːmɪs/","/ˈprɑːmɪsɪz/","/ˈprɑːmɪst/","/ˈprɑːmɪsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | I promised to do something and didn't. | A commitment to do something or not do something. |
| Example | I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. | I promise to help you with your homework. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | honor an oath, take an oath, break an oath | faithfully, solemnly, initially, can, cannot, seem to, to, as promised, I can’t promise anything |
| Antonyms | - | lie, break, betray |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'oath' with 'oath of office', which is specific to political positions., Using 'broke' incorrectly with non-physical items; it applies to commitments., Mispronouncing 'oath' as it is not spelled phonetically. | Confusing 'promise' with 'vow' or 'pledge' in terms of strength., Using 'promise' without an object (e.g., 'I promise' should specify what)., Misusing in the past tense (e.g., 'I promised' without a follow-up). |
| Usage notes | Use in discussions about promises, commitments, or moral obligations. It's neutral but may be serious depending on context. | Use 'promise' when you want to express a vow or assurance. Common in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid in formal legal documents. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: I know i broke my oath vs Promise
What's the difference between I know i broke my oath and Promise?
I know i broke my oath: I promised to do something and didn't. Promise: A commitment to do something or not do something.
Which is more common: I know i broke my oath and Promise?
Promise is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I know i broke my oath: I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. Promise: I promise to help you with your homework.
Can I use I know i broke my oath and Promise interchangeably?
Not always. I know i broke my oath and Promise 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.