Cool MateOaths you have taken vs Promises
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Oaths you have taken
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Promises
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Oaths you have takenMost common: Promises
| Oaths you have taken | Promises | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //əʊθs juː hæv ˈteɪ.kən//🇺🇸 //oʊθs juː hæv ˈteɪ.kən// | 🇬🇧 //ˈprɒmɪsɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈprɑːmɪsɪz// |
| Meaning | Promises you have made, often formally or seriously. | Things someone says they will do in the future. |
| Example | The oaths you have taken bind you to tell the truth in court. | She made several promises to help him with his project. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | uphold oaths, swear oaths, honor oaths, take oaths, broken oaths | make a promise, keep a promise, broken promises, fulfill promises, honor promises |
| Antonyms | - | lies, refusals |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'oath' without the plural form., Misused in informal speech where serious promises are not implied., Incorrectly used with simple past tense (should be present perfect). | Confusing 'promises' with 'promises' as in sworn statements., Using 'promise' instead of 'promises' for multiple commitments. |
| Usage notes | Typically used in legal, religious, or serious contexts. Avoid using in casual conversations. | Used in everyday conversations as well as formal contexts. Avoid using in overly casual situations where commitments are trivial. |
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Frequently asked questions: Oaths you have taken vs Promises
What's the difference between Oaths you have taken and Promises?
Oaths you have taken: Promises you have made, often formally or seriously. Promises: Things someone says they will do in the future.
Which is more formal: Oaths you have taken and Promises?
Oaths you have taken is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Oaths you have taken and Promises?
Promises is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Oaths you have taken: The oaths you have taken bind you to tell the truth in court. Promises: She made several promises to help him with his project.
Can I use Oaths you have taken and Promises interchangeably?
Not always. Oaths you have taken and Promises 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.