Meaning & use
solemn pledge
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Meaning
nouncountableformal
A serious, formal promise made with great sincerity, often in public or legal settings.
Grammar: Countable; can be used with 'make' or 'give': make a solemn pledge.
Patterns
- make a solemn pledge
- give a solemn pledge
- a solemn pledge to do something
The president made a solemn pledge to protect the nation's borders.
She gave a solemn pledge never to reveal the secret.
The treaty included a solemn pledge to end all hostilities.
Word forms
| plural | solemn pledges |
|---|
Common combinations
- make a solemn pledge
- He made a solemn pledge to donate half his wealth to charity.
- a solemn pledge of allegiance
- Schoolchildren recite a solemn pledge of allegiance each morning.
- a solemn pledge to uphold
- The judge took a solemn pledge to uphold the law.
- break a solemn pledge
- Breaking a solemn pledge can damage your reputation.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
Commonly confused: solemn pledge or solemn vow?
solemn pledge vs solemn vow
A solemn vow is similar but often has religious overtones; a solemn pledge is more general and formal.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'solemn pledge' correctly?
Choose one answer.
A solemn pledge is a serious promise to do something. Option 0 correctly uses 'to help' to show the promise. The others misuse the phrase with unrelated objects.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “solemn pledge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.