promise

verb

/ˈprɒmɪs/

/ˈprɑːmɪs/

Verb Forms

present simple I / you / we / they promise	/ˈprɒmɪs/ /ˈprɑːmɪs/
he / she / it promises	/ˈprɒmɪsɪz/ /ˈprɑːmɪsɪz/
past simple promised	/ˈprɒmɪst/ /ˈprɑːmɪst/
past participle promised	/ˈprɒmɪst/ /ˈprɑːmɪst/
-ing form promising	/ˈprɒmɪsɪŋ/ /ˈprɑːmɪsɪŋ/

Idioms

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[intransitive, transitive] to tell somebody that you will definitely do or not do something, or that something will definitely happen
- ‘We haven't got time to go to the park.’ ‘But you promised!’
- promise to do something The college principal promised to look into the matter.
- ‘Promise not to tell anyone!’ ‘I promise.’
- They arrived at 7.30 as they had promised.
- promise something The government has promised a full investigation into the disaster.
- I'll see what I can do but I can't promise anything.
- promise (that)… The brochure promised (that) the local food would be superb.
- promise somebody (that)… You promised me (that) you’d be home early tonight.
- promise something to somebody He promised the money to his grandchildren.
- promise somebody something He promised his grandchildren the money.
- promise yourself something I've promised myself some fun when the exams are over.
- promise (somebody) + speech ‘I'll be back soon,’ she promised.
More Like This Verbs with two objects
Verbs with two objects
- bet
- bring
- build
- buy
- cost
- get
- give
- leave
- lend
- make
- offer
- owe
- pass
- pay
- play
- post
- promise
- read
- refuse
- sell
- send
- show
- sing
- take
- teach
- tell
- throw
- wish
- write
Extra Examples
- He repeatedly promised to cut taxes in his campaign.
- I am sending you information on holidays as promised.
- I can definitely promise you that I'll do all I can to help.
- I can't promise I'll be there.
- She promised faithfully that she would come.
- I've promised my old computer to Jane.
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adverb
- faithfully
- solemnly
- initially
- …
verb + promise
- can
- cannot
- seem to
- …
preposition
- to
phrases
- as promised
- I can’t promise anything
See full entry
[transitive] to make something seem likely to happen; to show signs of something
- it promises to be something It promises to be an exciting few days.
- promise something There were dark clouds overhead promising rain.
Extra Examples
- The plan seemed to promise a new beginning.
- It was a disappointing end to a season which had promised so much for the team.
- The new drug promises to bring relief to thousands of asthma sufferers.
More Like This Verbs usually followed by infinitives
Verbs usually followed by infinitives
- afford
- agree
- appear
- arrange
- attempt
- beg
- choose
- consent
- decide
- expect
- fail
- happen
- hesitate
- hope
- intend
- learn
- manage
- mean
- neglect
- offer
- prepare
- pretend
- promise
- refuse
- swear
- try
- want
- wish

Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin promissum ‘something promised’, neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise’, from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send’.

Idioms

I (can) promise you

(informal) used as a way of encouraging or warning somebody about something
- I can promise you, you'll have a wonderful time.
- If you don't take my advice, you'll regret it, I promise you.

promise (somebody) the earth/moon/world

(informal) to make promises that will be impossible to keep
- Politicians promise the earth before an election, but things are different afterwards.

promise

noun

/ˈprɒmɪs/

/ˈprɑːmɪs/

Idioms

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[countable] a statement that tells somebody that you will definitely do or not do something
- to make/keep/fulfil/break a promise
- You haven't gone back on your promise, have you?
- He simply broke every single promise he ever made me.
- The minister was under attack for a series of broken promises.
- promise to do something She kept her promise to visit her aunt regularly.
- He fulfilled a campaign promise to end the war.
- promise to somebody He had now to deliver on his promises to the Canadian electorate.
- promise from/by somebody These are empty promises from a party not in a position to honour them.
- It is unlikely that these laws will be changed, despite promises by the Prime Minister.
- promise of something The government failed to keep its promise of lower taxes.
- They were lured by government promises of either money or other benefits.
- promise (that…) Do I have your promise that you won't tell anyone about this?
Extra Examples
- I try not to make promises that I can't keep.
- I won't be late. That's a promise!
- I'll consider it, but I make no promises.
- Politicians should be held to their promises.
- She had obviously forgotten her promise to call me.
- They've made all sorts of promises about reforming the health system.
- We extracted a promise from them that they would repay the money by May.
- He repeated his promise that there would be extra help for the poorest pensioners.
- You gave me your promise I could use the car tonight.
- promises of support
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- big
- rash
- broken
- …
verb + promise
- give somebody
- make (somebody)
- hold out
- …
promise + noun
- ring
preposition
- promise about
- promise of
See full entry
[uncountable] a sign that somebody/something will be successful synonym potential
- Her work shows great promise.
- Their research holds considerable promise.
- He failed to fulfil his early promise.
- Their future was full of promise.
- promise for something Stem cell research offers real promise for the treatment of currently incurable diseases.
Extra Examples
- She showed great promise as a runner.
- a pianist of promise
- The year began so full of promise, and ended in disappointment.
- This new venture holds great promise for the future.
Topics Successb2
Oxford Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- considerable
- enormous
- great
- …
verb + promise
- hold
- show
- fulfil/fulfill
- …
preposition
- of promise
- promise as
phrases
- full of promise
See full entry
[uncountable, singular] promise of something a sign, or a reason for hope that something may happen, especially something good
- The day dawned bright and clear, with the promise of warm, sunny weather.
- The dog approached, attracted by the promise of food.
- Organic food seems to hold out the promise of healthy living.

Word Originlate Middle English: from Latin promissum ‘something promised’, neuter past participle of promittere ‘put forth, promise’, from pro- ‘forward’ + mittere ‘send’.

Idioms

a lick and a promise

(informal) the act of performing a task quickly and carelessly, especially of washing or cleaning something quickly