Cool MateI know i broke my oath vs Vow
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I know i broke my oath
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Vow
FormalTop 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most formal: VowMost common: Vow
| I know i broke my oath | Vow | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aʊθ//🇺🇸 //oʊθ// | 🇬🇧 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/vaʊ/","/vaʊz/","/vaʊd/","/ˈvaʊɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | I promised to do something and didn't. | A serious promise to do something. |
| Example | I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. | She vowed never to speak to him again. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | honor an oath, take an oath, break an oath | quietly, silently, to, vow never to do something, vow revenge, vow revenge against somebody |
| Antonyms | - | break, violate |
| Common mistakes | 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 'cow' — they sound similar but have different meanings., Using in informal contexts — 'vow' is too strong for casual promises. |
| Usage notes | Use in discussions about promises, commitments, or moral obligations. It's neutral but may be serious depending on context. | Use 'vow' when making a serious commitment, often in formal situations like weddings or ceremonies. Avoid in casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: I know i broke my oath vs Vow
What's the difference between I know i broke my oath and Vow?
I know i broke my oath: I promised to do something and didn't. Vow: A serious promise to do something.
Which is more formal: I know i broke my oath and Vow?
Vow is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: I know i broke my oath and Vow?
Vow is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
I know i broke my oath: I know I broke my oath to protect the kingdom. Vow: She vowed never to speak to him again.
Can I use I know i broke my oath and Vow interchangeably?
Not always. I know i broke my oath 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.