promise

Everyday

1. To say that you will certainly do something, or that something will certainly happen. tree →
2. A noun: what you say when you promise. tree →
3. To show signs that something will happen or be good: «dark clouds promise rain»; «a promising young player». tree →

In the lessons

In stories and everyday life about truth and trust: keeping a promise builds trust, breaking one hurts people. Don't make a promise you cannot keep. In safety: never promise a stranger to keep a secret that makes you feel unsafe — tell a trusted adult. Phrases: make a promise, keep a promise, break a promise, I promise, promise to, a pinky promise, show promise.

Examples

• I promise to tidy my room after lunch. tree →
• She kept her promise and came to my party. tree →
• He broke his promise, and his friend was upset. tree →
• Don't make promises you can't keep. tree →
• Dad promised we would go to the beach on Sunday. tree →
• We made a pinky promise. tree →
• The grey sky promised rain. tree →
• She is a promising swimmer. tree →
• You promised you'd pay me to-day." tree →

Note

Regular verb: promised. «Promise to do» (promise to help) or «promise that…». Countable noun: a promise, two promises. «Keep» a promise = do it; «break» a promise = not do it. If an adult asks you to promise to keep a secret that worries you, it is right to tell a trusted grown-up.

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah it is a pledge by God, usually the promise to give the land and many descendants to the people of Israel. In Nehemiah it is also a solemn promise between people, and in the Psalms and Chronicles it is God's word to His servants, such as David.

Interpretation. Tradition sees these promises to the ancestors as the base of the covenant. Jews believe God keeps them, even through long exile. The Psalmist's question whether God's promise has ended is read as a cry in hard times, answered by faith.

Examples

• And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be His own treasure, as He hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all His commandments; (Torah DEU.26.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• The LORD, the God of your fathers, make you a thousand times so many more as ye are, and bless you, as He hath promised you! — (Torah DEU.1.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it shall come to pass, when ye be come to the land which the LORD will give you, according as He hath promised, that ye shall keep this service. (Torah EXO.12.25, JPS 1917) tree →
• And the people did according to this promise. (Writings NEH.5.13, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is His promise come to an end for evermore? (Writings PSA.77.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• And now, O LORD, Thou alone art God, and hast promised this good thing unto Thy servant; (Writings 1CH.17.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: promised. «Promise to do» (promise to help) or «promise that…». Countable noun: a promise, two promises. «Keep» a promise = do it; «break» a promise = not do it. If an adult asks you to promise to keep a secret that worries you, it is right to tell a trusted grown-up.