Commit vs. Promise — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
Commit refers to pledging or binding oneself to a certain action, while Promise is a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something.
Difference Between Commit and Promise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Commit is a verb that signifies the act of dedicating, pledging, or binding oneself to a certain course or action. Promise, on the other hand, is both a noun and a verb which means to declare or assure that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen.
When one says they commit to something, they are implying a level of dedication or obligation towards a task or cause. Promise implies a declaration of intent, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee the same level of engagement as committing.
A person can commit to a relationship, indicating a decision to invest and engage deeply. In contrast, one can promise to be faithful, which is an assurance of intention, but it doesn't delve into the depths of involvement as committing does.
In business, to commit means to allocate resources or make definitive plans. Whereas, to promise in business often means to assure a client or partner of a particular outcome or result.
Both commit and promise have their importance and implications. While committing connotes a deeper engagement, promising is more about giving one's word or assurance.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Both a noun and a verb
Connotation
Dedication and obligation
Declaration of intent
Depth of Involvement
Deeper engagement
Assurance without necessary depth
Usage in Relationships
Decision to invest and engage
Assurance of intention
Business Context
Allocation of resources or making plans
Assuring an outcome
Compare with Definitions
Commit
To pledge or bind to a certain course
She committed to finishing the project by Friday.
Promise
To declare or assure that one will do something
She promised to call me tomorrow.
Commit
To allocate or set aside resources
The company committed funds to the new project.
Promise
An assurance or declaration
His promise to support was heartening.
Commit
To do, perform, or perpetrate
Commit a murder.
Promise
To show potential or likelihood
The dark clouds promise rain.
Commit
To put in trust or charge; entrust
Commit oneself to the care of a doctor.
Commit responsibilities to an assistant.
Promise
A reason to expect something
The project shows great promise.
Commit
To consign for future use or for preservation
We must commit the necessary funds for the project.
Promise
A promise is a commitment by someone to do or not do something. As a noun promise means a declaration assuring that one will or will not do something.
Commit
To place officially in confinement or custody, as in a mental health facility.
Promise
A declaration or assurance that one will do something or that a particular thing will happen
I did not keep my promise to go home early
What happened to all those firm promises of support?
Commit
To put into a place to be disposed of or kept safe
Committed the manuscript to the flames.
Promise
The quality of potential excellence
He showed great promise even as a junior officer
Commit
To make known the views of (oneself) on an issue
I never commit myself on such issues.
Promise
Assure someone that one will definitely do something or that something will happen
She made him promise that he wouldn't do it again
He promised to forward my mail
He promised her the job
‘I'll bring it straight back,’ she promised
Commit
To bind, obligate, or devote, as by a pledge
They were committed to follow orders. She committed herself to her art.
Promise
Give good grounds for expecting (a particular occurrence)
It promised to be a night that all would remember
Forthcoming concerts promise a feast of music
Commit
To refer (a legislative bill, for example) to a committee.
Promise
A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
Commit
To pledge, obligate, or devote one's own self
Felt that he was too young to commit fully to marriage.
Promise
Something promised.
Commit
(transitive) To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to entrust; to consign; used with to or formerly unto.
Promise
Indication of something favorable to come; expectation
A promise of spring in the air.
Commit
(transitive) To imprison: to forcibly place in a jail.
Promise
Indication of future excellence or success
A player of great promise.
Commit
(transitive) To forcibly evaluate and treat in a medical facility, particularly for presumed mental illness.
Tony should be committed to a nuthouse!
Promise
To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge
Left but promised to return.
Commit
(transitive) To do (something bad); to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
To commit murder
To commit a series of heinous crimes
Promise
To afford a basis for expecting
Thunderclouds that promise rain.
Commit
(ambitransitive) To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step. Traditionally used only reflexively but now also without oneself etc.
To commit oneself to a certain action
To commit to a relationship
Promise
To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
Commit
To make a set of changes permanent.
Promise
To afford a basis for expectation
An enterprise that promises well.
Commit
To integrate new revisions into the public or master version of a file in a version control system.
Promise
(countable) an oath or affirmation; a vow
If I make a promise, I always stick to it;
He broke his promise
Commit
To enter into a contest; to match; often followed by with.
Promise
(countable) A transaction between two persons whereby the first person undertakes in the future to render some service or gift to the second person or devotes something valuable now and here to his use.
Commit
To confound.
Promise
(uncountable) Reason to expect improvement or success; potential.
She shows great promise as an actress.
Commit
To commit an offence; especially, to fornicate.
Promise
A placeholder object representing the eventual result of an asynchronous operation.
Commit
To be committed or perpetrated; to take place; to occur.
Promise
Bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised
Commit
The act of committing (e.g. a database transaction), making it a permanent change; such a change.
Promise
(ambitransitive) To commit to (some action or outcome), or to assure (a person) of such commitment; to make an oath or vow.
If you promise not to tell anyone, I will let you have this cake for free.
She promised to never return to this town again.
He promised me a big kiss if I would drive him to the airport.
I can't promise success, but I'll do the best I can.
Commit
(programming) The submission of source code or other material to a source control repository.
Promise
(intransitive) To give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.
The clouds promise rain.
Commit
To give in trust; to put into charge or keeping; to intrust; to consign; - used with to, unto.
Commit thy way unto the Lord.
Bid him farewell, commit him to the grave.
Promise
In general, a declaration, written or verbal, made by one person to another, which binds the person who makes it to do, or to forbear to do, a specified act; a declaration which gives to the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act.
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
Commit
To put in charge of a jailor; to imprison.
These two were committed.
Promise
An engagement by one person to another, either in words or in writing, but properly not under seal, for the performance or nonperformance of some particular thing. The word promise is used to denote the mere engagement of a person, without regard to the consideration for it, or the corresponding duty of the party to whom it is made.
Commit
To do; to perpetrate, as a crime, sin, or fault.
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Promise
That which causes hope, expectation, or assurance; especially, that which affords expectation of future distinction; as, a youth of great promise.
My native country was full of youthful promise.
Commit
To join for a contest; to match; - followed by with.
Promise
Bestowal, fulfillment, or grant of what is promised.
He . . . commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father.
Commit
To pledge or bind; to compromise, expose, or endanger by some decisive act or preliminary step; - often used reflexively; as, to commit one's self to a certain course.
You might have satisfied every duty of political friendship, without commiting the honor of your sovereign.
Any sudden assent to the proposal . . . might possibly be considered as committing the faith of the United States.
Promise
To engage to do, give, make, or to refrain from doing, giving, or making, or the like; to covenant; to engage; as, to promise a visit; to promise a cessation of hostilities; to promise the payment of money.
Commit
To confound.
Committing short and long [quantities].
Promise
To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain.
Commit
To sin; esp., to be incontinent.
Commit not with man's sworn spouse.
Promise
To make declaration of or give assurance of, as some benefit to be conferred; to pledge or engage to bestow; as, the proprietors promised large tracts of land; the city promised a reward.
I dare promise myself you will attest the truth of all I have advanced.
Commit
Perform an act, usually with a negative connotation;
Perpetrate a crime
Pull a bank robbery
Promise
To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
Commit
Give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;
She committed herself to the work of God
Give one's talents to a good cause
Consecrate your life to the church
Promise
To afford hopes or expectation; to give ground to expect good; rarely, to give reason to expect evil.
Will not the ladies be afeard of the lion?I fear it, I promise you.
Commit
Cause to be admitted; of persons to an institution;
After the second episode, she had to be committed
He was committed to prison
Promise
A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
Commit
Confer a trust upon;
The messenger was entrusted with the general's secret
I commit my soul to God
Promise
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
Commit
Make an investment;
Put money into bonds
Promise
Make a promise or commitment
Commit
To perform or carry out
He committed a crime.
Promise
Promise to undertake or give;
I promise you my best effort
Commit
To entrust or consign for safekeeping
They committed the documents to the vault.
Promise
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Commit
To send or admit formally
The judge committed him to a rehabilitation center.
Promise
Give grounds for expectations;
The new results were promising
The results promised fame and glory
Promise
An agreement or commitment to do something
He made a promise to always help.
Common Curiosities
Can someone Commit without making a Promise?
Yes, one can Commit to an action without necessarily promising it.
Can Promise be both a noun and a verb?
Yes, Promise can be used both ways.
If someone fails to Commit, what does that imply?
It suggests they did not fully engage or dedicate themselves as pledged.
Is Committing more actionable than Promising?
Yes, Committing usually involves a pledge to take specific actions.
Is making a Promise the same as giving your word?
Yes, a Promise is like giving one's word or assurance.
Can a Promise be broken?
Yes, if the assurance or declaration is not met, it's considered broken.
What part of speech is Commit?
Commit is a verb.
Which implies a deeper level of involvement, Commit or Promise?
Commit implies a deeper level of involvement.
Which word is more common in legal terms?
Both can be used, but Commit is often seen in contexts like "committing a crime."
Does Promise always guarantee fulfillment?
No, a Promise is an intention, but it may not always be fulfilled.
In a business context, which word implies a firmer decision?
Commit implies a more definitive decision or allocation of resources.
Which word has a stronger obligation, Commit or Promise?
Commit usually carries a stronger sense of obligation.
Can both Commit and Promise be used in the context of relationships?
Yes, one can Commit to a relationship and Promise fidelity, for example.
Is it possible to Promise without Committing?
Yes, one can assure intent without necessarily binding oneself to it.
Can Promise sometimes imply potential?
Yes, as in "The sky promises rain" or "The project shows promise."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
