Promises vs We'll write our own vows

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Promises

Top 2,000 (common)

We'll write our own vows

Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: Promises
 PromisesWe'll write our own vows
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //ˈprɒmɪsɪz//🇺🇸 //ˈprɑːmɪsɪz//🇬🇧 //wiːl raɪt aʊər oʊn vaʊz//🇺🇸 //wiːl raɪt aʊər oʊn vaʊz//
MeaningThings someone says they will do in the future.Promises we make to each other during a wedding.
ExampleShe made several promises to help him with his project.During the ceremony, we'll write our own vows to express our love.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 2,000 (common)Top 3,000 (common)
Collocationsmake a promise, keep a promise, broken promises, fulfill promises, honor promiseswrite vows, exchange vows, personal vows, traditional vows, meaningful vows
Antonymslies, refusals-
Common mistakesConfusing 'promises' with 'promises' as in sworn statements., Using 'promise' instead of 'promises' for multiple commitments.Incorrectly using 'vow' as a verb instead of a noun., Confusing 'vows' with 'vows' when referring to promises., Using 'will' inappropriately in different contexts.
Usage notesUsed in everyday conversations as well as formal contexts. Avoid using in overly casual situations where commitments are trivial.Commonly used in wedding contexts. Suitable for both spoken and written language, particularly in romantic or formal settings.

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Promises
We'll write our own vows

Frequently asked questions: Promises vs We'll write our own vows

What's the difference between Promises and We'll write our own vows?

Promises: Things someone says they will do in the future. We'll write our own vows: Promises we make to each other during a wedding.

Which is more common: Promises and We'll write our own vows?

Promises is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Promises: She made several promises to help him with his project. We'll write our own vows: During the ceremony, we'll write our own vows to express our love.

Can I use Promises and We'll write our own vows interchangeably?

Not always. Promises and We'll write our own vows 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.

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