Cool MateSwear vs You promise me something
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Swear
InformalTop 2,000 (common)B2verb
You promise me something
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: You promise me something
| Swear | You promise me something | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/sweə(r)/","/sweəz/","/swɔː(r)/","/swɔːn/","/ˈsweərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/swer/","/swerz/","/swɔːr/","/swɔːrn/","/ˈswerɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ ˈprɒmɪs miː ˈsʌmθɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ju ˈprɑːmɪs mi ˈsʌmθɪŋ// |
| Meaning | To use rude or offensive words. | You say you will do something for me. |
| Example | I swear to tell the truth in my testimony. | You promise me something special for my birthday. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | loudly, quietly, silently, hear somebody, at, solemnly, on oath, under oath, be prepared to, make somebody, by, on, to, be sworn into office, swear somebody to secrecy, swear somebody to silence, solemnly, on oath, under oath, be prepared to, make somebody, by, on, to, be sworn into office, swear somebody to secrecy, swear somebody to silence, solemnly, on oath, under oath, be prepared to, make somebody, by, on, to, be sworn into office, swear somebody to secrecy, swear somebody to silence, solemnly, on oath, under oath, be prepared to, make somebody, by, on, to, be sworn into office, swear somebody to secrecy, swear somebody to silence | promise to keep, promise to help, promise not to tell |
| Antonyms | praise, compliment | - |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'swear' with 'promise' — they have different meanings., Using it in formal writing where it's not acceptable., Using 'swear to' instead of 'swear at' when expressing anger. | Omitting the subject; e.g., 'Promise me something.' should include 'You.', Using the wrong tense; e.g., 'You promised me something.' instead of 'You promise me something.', Confusing 'promise' with 'promise to' - they must be used correctly. |
| Usage notes | Used in informal settings to express anger or frustration. Often considered inappropriate in formal contexts. Be cautious of the audience and setting before using. | Used in personal and professional contexts. Can convey strong intention or hope; usually implies trust. |
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Frequently asked questions: Swear vs You promise me something
What's the difference between Swear and You promise me something?
Swear: To use rude or offensive words. You promise me something: You say you will do something for me.
Which is more formal: Swear and You promise me something?
You promise me something is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Swear: I swear to tell the truth in my testimony. You promise me something: You promise me something special for my birthday.
Can I use Swear and You promise me something interchangeably?
Not always. Swear and You promise me something 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.