Meaning & use
exchange vows
Last updated
Meaning
phrasefixed phraseformal
to make formal promises to each other, especially during a wedding ceremony
Grammar: Used with a plural subject, e.g. 'They exchanged vows.' It does not take an object.
Patterns
- exchange vows with someone
- exchange vows in a ceremony
The couple exchanged vows in a small garden ceremony.
They will exchange vows next Saturday in front of their families.
After they exchanged vows, everyone clapped and cheered.
Common combinations
- exchange vows with someone
- She exchanged vows with her partner in a simple ceremony.
- exchange vows in a church
- They exchanged vows in a church before a small group of friends.
- exchange vows before
- The couple exchanged vows before a judge.
- exchange wedding vows
- The bride and groom exchanged wedding vows that they had written themselves.
Synonyms and how they differ
- get married
- This is a general term for becoming husband and wife; 'exchange vows' specifically refers to the moment of making promises in the ceremony.
- say I do
- This is an informal phrase for the same moment in a wedding; 'exchange vows' is more formal and can include longer promises.
Commonly confused: exchange vows or exchange rings?
exchange vows vs exchange rings
This means to give each other rings as a symbol of marriage, while 'exchange vows' means to make the spoken promises.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'exchange vows' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Exchange vows' is a fixed phrase meaning to make promises to each other, usually in a wedding. It is used with a plural subject and does not take a direct object, so 'exchange vows a gift' is wrong. 'Exchange vows to' and 'exchange vows for' are not used because the phrase already includes the idea of mutual promises.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “exchange vows”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.