Breaking a promise means failing to do what you promised.
The idea
Use break a promise when someone fails to fulfil a commitment. The past is broke and the past participle is broken.
Examples
- I broke my promise to finish the painting.
- The council broke its promise to protect the trees.
- Ravi worries that he might break his promise.
- We broke our promise to arrive before sunset.
- Has the club broken its promise to open the pool?
- They do not want to break a promise to their neighbours.
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Watch out
Do not use break to mean making the promise; it describes failing to fulfil it. Do not say destroy a promise for this meaning.
Try it yourself
Choose the missing word. If you forget, you might ___ your promise. (break / lose)
Show answer or example answer
break
break follows might in the base form.
Choose the missing word. The shop ___ its promise last year. (broke / breaks)
Show answer or example answer
broke
broke places the failure last year.
Choose the missing word. The builder has ___ a promise to the family. (broken / broke)
Show answer or example answer
broken
broken follows has in the present perfect.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the missing word. If you forget, you might ___ your promise. (break / lose)
Choose the missing word. The shop ___ its promise last year. (broke / breaks)
Choose the missing word. The builder has ___ a promise to the family. (broken / broke)
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Describe a fictional broken promise and its effect on trust.