Cool MateVow vs You gave us your word
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Vow
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
You gave us your word
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: VowMost common: You gave us your word
| Vow | You gave us your word | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //jʊ ɡeɪv ʌs jɔː wɜːd//🇺🇸 //ju ɡeɪv ʌs jʊr wɝːd// |
| Meaning | A serious promise to do something. | You made a promise or commitment. |
| Example | She vowed never to speak to him again. | When you said you'd help, you gave us your word. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | quietly, silently, to, vow never to do something, vow revenge, vow revenge against somebody | give your word, break your word, keep your word, take someone's word, trust someone's word |
| Antonyms | break, violate | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'cow' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using in informal contexts — 'vow' is too strong for casual promises. | Confused with 'You gave us your words' - 'word' in this context is singular., Using it when informal language is more appropriate., Misunderstanding the nuance of 'word' as a promise versus literal words. |
| Usage notes | Use 'vow' when making a serious commitment, often in formal situations like weddings or ceremonies. Avoid in casual conversations. | Typically used to emphasize trust or commitment. Suitable in both spoken and written language, often in serious or personal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Vow vs You gave us your word
What's the difference between Vow and You gave us your word?
Vow: A serious promise to do something. You gave us your word: You made a promise or commitment.
Which is more formal: Vow and You gave us your word?
Vow is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Vow and You gave us your word?
You gave us your word is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Vow: She vowed never to speak to him again. You gave us your word: When you said you'd help, you gave us your word.
Can I use Vow and You gave us your word interchangeably?
Not always. Vow and You gave us your word 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.