"give a promise" 是一个动词短语,核心意思是 “许下诺言”“作出承诺”,强调“主动给出/作出”承诺的动作(即向他人保证会做或不做某事)。
"give a promise" 通常需要结合对象(向谁承诺)、内容(承诺什么)来使用,常见结构有以下几种:
向某人作出承诺(sb. 是承诺的对象)。
例:
She gave a promise to her parents to study harder.(她向父母承诺会更努力学习。)
The manager gave a promise to the employees about a salary increase.(经理向员工承诺会涨薪。)
承诺做某事(to do sth. 是承诺的具体内容)。
例:
They gave a promise to finish the project by the end of the month.(他们承诺月底前完成项目。)
He gave a promise to help me with my homework.(他承诺帮我辅导作业。)
用 that 从句说明承诺的具体内容(从句用陈述语气)。
例:
The government gave a promise that it would reduce pollution.(政府承诺会减少污染。)
She gave a promise that she wouldn’t lie again.(她承诺不会再撒谎。)
更常用的变体(用所有格 one's 替代 a,强调“某人的承诺”,更具体)。
例:
He gave his promise to return the money next week.(他承诺下周还钱。)
I can’t give my promise without checking my schedule.(没看日程表我不能承诺。)
1、 与 "make a promise" 的区别:
两者语义几乎一致(均表示“许诺”),但 "make a promise" 更口语化、更常用;"give a promise" 更强调“向他人传递/给出”承诺的动作,书面或正式场合中更常见。
2、 反义词组:
break a promise 违背诺言
keep a promise 遵守诺言
例:
He gave a promise to marry her, but he broke it later.(他承诺娶她,但后来违背了诺言。)
She always keeps the promises she gives.(她总是遵守自己许下的诺言。)
3、 否定与疑问:
否定形式为 "not give a promise"(不承诺);疑问形式需借助助动词(do/does/did)。
例:
I can’t give a promise right now—I need to think.(我现在不能承诺——我得想想。)
Did he give a promise to attend the party?(他承诺参加派对了吗?)
A: Will you come to my birthday party?(你会来我的生日派对吗?)
B: I can’t give a promise yet, but I’ll let you know tomorrow.(我还不能承诺,但明天会告诉你。)
The company gave a promise to its customers to improve product quality.(公司向客户承诺会提升产品质量。)
She gave a promise that she would keep the secret forever.(她承诺会永远保守这个秘密。)
总结:"give a promise" 是“许下诺言”的正式表达,核心是向他人作出保证,搭配对象或内容时需注意结构的完整性。日常更常用 "make a promise",但两者可互换使用。