Cool MatePromise me vs Vow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Promise me
Top 2,000 (common)
Vow
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: VowMost common: Promise me
| Promise me | Vow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈprɒmɪs miː//🇺🇸 //ˈprɑːmɪs mi// | 🇬🇧 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Say you'll do something or keep a secret. | A serious promise to do something. |
| Example | Please, promise me you'll be there tomorrow. | She vowed never to speak to him again. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | make a promise, keep a promise, broken promise, if you promise, promise to | quietly, silently, to, vow never to do something, vow revenge, vow revenge against somebody |
| Antonyms | - | break, violate |
| Common mistakes | Confused about who can promise - both people can make a promise., Using it without a specific object or context., Overusing it in casual conversations. | Confused with 'cow' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using in informal contexts — 'vow' is too strong for casual promises. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in informal contexts. Avoid in overly formal situations. | Use 'vow' when making a serious commitment, often in formal situations like weddings or ceremonies. Avoid in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Promise me vs Vow
What's the difference between Promise me and Vow?
Promise me: Say you'll do something or keep a secret. Vow: A serious promise to do something.
Which is more formal: Promise me and Vow?
Vow is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Promise me and Vow?
Promise me is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Promise me: Please, promise me you'll be there tomorrow. Vow: She vowed never to speak to him again.
Can I use Promise me and Vow interchangeably?
Not always. Promise me and Vow 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.