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Common collocations with promise in British Collocation

promise noun

UK /ˈprɒmɪs/

not sincere

empty
false
hollow

Without change these targets are little more than empty promises.

that is not kept

broken
unfulfilled

People are sick and tired of the government’s broken promises.

that you must keep

binding

A binding promise does not have to be made in writing on headed notepaper.

not clearly explained

vague

Such vague promises were unlikely to satisfy the workforce.

serious

solemn

Solemn promises were made to increase aid and support development in Africa.

make a promise

give
make

Leaders around the world have made endless promises to end poverty.

keep a promise

deliver
deliver on
fulfil
honour
implement
keep
meet

I’m sorry, I couldn’t keep my promise.

break a promise

break
go back on

Cecil promised the conspirators they would be allowed to escape or pardoned and then broke his promise.

make someone keep a promise

hold someone to

We are determined to hold the new BBC leadership to that promise.

receive a promise

be given
receive

They had received vague promises of support from the Secretary of State.

persuade someone to give you a promise

extract
obtain
secure

According to legend, the dying queen extracted a promise from Shah Jahan that he would build a magnificent mausoleum.