Cool MateCommitment vs I know i broke my oath vs Pledge vs Promise vs Vow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Commitment
I know i broke my oath
Pledge
Promise
Vow
| Commitment | I know i broke my oath | Pledge | Promise | Vow | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kəˈmɪtmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəˈmɪtmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //aʊθ//🇺🇸 //oʊθ// | 🇬🇧 //plɛdʒ//🇺🇸 //plɛdʒ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈprɒmɪs/","/ˈprɒmɪsɪz/","/ˈprɒmɪst/","/ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈprɑːmɪs/","/ˈprɑːmɪsɪz/","/ˈprɑːmɪst/","/ˈprɑːmɪsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | A promise to do something or stay loyal. | I promised to do something and didn't. | To make a serious promise or commitment. | A commitment to do something or not do something. | A serious promise to do something. |
| Example | His commitment to the project ensured its success. | I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. | She decided to pledge her support to the charity event. | I promise to help you with your homework. | She vowed never to speak to him again. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Formal | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | - | C1 | A2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | verb | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | absolute, complete, full, degree, level, give, make, demonstrate, commitment on, commitment to, a lack of commitment, absolute, complete, full, degree, level, give, make, demonstrate, commitment on, commitment to, a lack of commitment, big, considerable, major, have, take on, fulfil/fulfill, commitment on, heavy, time, commitment of | honor an oath, take an oath, break an oath | pledge allegiance, pledge support, pledge a donation | faithfully, solemnly, initially, can, cannot, seem to, to, as promised, I can’t promise anything | quietly, silently, to, vow never to do something, vow revenge, vow revenge against somebody |
| Antonyms | disloyalty, indifference | - | renounce, disavow, withdraw | lie, break, betray | break, violate |
| Common mistakes | Using 'commitment' without specifying what it's to., Confusing 'commitment' with 'commit' as a verb., 'Commitment' often misused in informal contexts. | 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. | Confused with 'pledged' vs 'pledge' as different tenses., Omitting the object after the verb., Using 'pledge' when referring to a general promise instead of a formal commitment. | 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). | Confused with 'cow' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using in informal contexts — 'vow' is too strong for casual promises. |
| Usage notes | Used when discussing promises or obligations in personal or professional contexts. It's generally appropriate in serious discussions and may not fit casual chatting. | Use in discussions about promises, commitments, or moral obligations. It's neutral but may be serious depending on context. | Typically used in formal contexts, such as during ceremonies or official statements. Avoid in casual conversations. | Use 'promise' when you want to express a vow or assurance. Common in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid in formal legal documents. | 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: Commitment vs I know i broke my oath vs Pledge vs Promise vs Vow
What's the difference between Commitment, I know i broke my oath, Pledge, Promise, and Vow?
Commitment: A promise to do something or stay loyal. I know i broke my oath: I promised to do something and didn't. Pledge: To make a serious promise or commitment. Promise: A commitment to do something or not do something. Vow: A serious promise to do something.
Which is more common: Commitment, I know i broke my oath, Pledge, Promise, and Vow?
Promise is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Commitment: His commitment to the project ensured its success. I know i broke my oath: I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. Pledge: She decided to pledge her support to the charity event. Promise: I promise to help you with your homework. Vow: She vowed never to speak to him again.
Can I use Commitment, I know i broke my oath, Pledge, Promise, and Vow interchangeably?
Not always. Commitment, I know i broke my oath, Pledge, Promise, 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.