Cool MateI guarantee you vs Vow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I guarantee you
Top 2,000 (common)
Vow
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: VowMost common: I guarantee you
| I guarantee you | Vow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ ˈɡærənˌti jʊ//🇺🇸 //aɪ ˈɡærənˌti jʊ// | 🇬🇧 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | I promise you that something will happen. | A serious promise to do something. |
| Example | I guarantee you will love this new restaurant. | 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 | guarantee satisfaction, guarantee results, guarantee success | quietly, silently, to, vow never to do something, vow revenge, vow revenge against somebody |
| Antonyms | - | break, violate |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'you' and saying 'I guarantee'., Using 'guarantee' with a noun directly instead of a personal pronoun., Confusing with 'ensure' which implies preventing something. | Confused with 'cow' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using in informal contexts — 'vow' is too strong for casual promises. |
| Usage notes | Use in informal to neutral conversations to assure someone. Avoid in highly formal writing or speeches. | 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: I guarantee you vs Vow
What's the difference between I guarantee you and Vow?
I guarantee you: I promise you that something will happen. Vow: A serious promise to do something.
Which is more formal: I guarantee you and Vow?
Vow is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: I guarantee you and Vow?
I guarantee you is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I guarantee you: I guarantee you will love this new restaurant. Vow: She vowed never to speak to him again.
Can I use I guarantee you and Vow interchangeably?
Not always. I guarantee you 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.