A promise is a commitment to do or give something.
The idea
Use promise to do for an action, or promise someone something and promise something to someone for a thing. A clause can follow promise that.
Examples
- I promised to call tonight.
- She promised her friend some help.
- We promised the children a picnic.
- He promised that the parcel would arrive tomorrow.
- They promised to keep the door open.
- The shop promised a refund to the customer.
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Watch out
Do not use promise doing for the action you commit to: say promise to do.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct form. They promised ___ the garden. (to clean / cleaning)
Show answer or example answer
to clean
to clean identifies the action they committed to.
Choose the correct form. I promised a reply ___ my colleague. (to / at)
Show answer or example answer
to
to introduces the person receiving the promised reply.
Choose the correct form. Our neighbor ___ to bring bread yesterday. (promised / promise)
Show answer or example answer
promised
promised places the commitment yesterday.
Practice round
Answer questions and rebuild English sentences to practise. Your score is shown.
Choose the correct form. They promised ___ the garden. (to clean / cleaning)
Choose the correct form. I promised a reply ___ my colleague. (to / at)
Choose the correct form. Our neighbor ___ to bring bread yesterday. (promised / promise)
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 something you promised to do for someone.