Promise vs. Commitment — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 15, 2024
A promise is a verbal or written assurance to do or not do something, often depending on trust, while commitment involves dedication and taking action towards a goal or principle, often requiring consistent effort and sometimes formal agreement.
Difference Between Promise and Commitment
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A promise typically refers to an assurance given by one party to another that they will do or refrain from doing something specific. On the other hand, a commitment denotes a deeper level of engagement or obligation towards a particular task, goal, principle, or relationship. Commitments imply a sustained effort and dedication, often over a long period, and may involve formal agreements, such as contracts or vows. While promises can be seen as the initial pledge or assurance, commitments are about the ongoing actions taken to uphold that pledge.
Promises are integral to maintaining trust and integrity in personal and professional relationships, serving as a foundation for expectations and reliability. A broken promise can significantly impact relationships and trustworthiness. Commitments, however, extend beyond the initial assurance to the ongoing dedication and work towards fulfilling a goal or maintaining a principle or relationship. This distinction highlights that while all commitments might involve promises, not all promises necessarily result in commitments.
The act of making a promise usually requires an understanding and agreement on the terms of the promise between the parties involved. It's a declaration that one will or will not undertake certain actions. Commitments, however, often require planning, resources, and continuous effort to maintain. They are foundational to achieving personal goals, professional achievements, and sustaining relationships or organizational missions.
Promises are about the assurance given and the trust it engenders, while commitments are about the long-term dedication and effort to uphold that assurance, achieve goals, or maintain principles. Both play crucial roles in the fabric of social and personal interactions, but they operate at different levels of engagement and obligation.
Comparison Chart
Definition
An assurance to do or not do something.
A dedication to a task, goal, or relationship.
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Basis
Trust between parties.
Ongoing effort and sometimes formal agreements.
Duration
Can be short-term or long-term.
Generally involves long-term engagement.
Nature
Often verbal or written, specific in nature.
Involves sustained action and dedication.
Impact
Breaking a promise can affect trust.
Requires continuous effort to uphold.
Compare with Definitions
Promise
Can be formal or informal, depending on the context.
The company's promise of quality to its customers is a key part of its brand.
Commitment
Commitment implies a deep dedication to achieving a goal or upholding a principle.
His commitment to environmental conservation inspired others to act.
Promise
A promise is a verbal or written assurance to perform or refrain from performing a specific act.
She made a promise to her friend to keep the secret.
Commitment
Essential for personal growth and achieving success.
The team's commitment to innovation led to the successful launch of the new product.
Promise
Breaking a promise can lead to loss of credibility.
Failing to keep her promise led to a loss of trust among her team.
Commitment
Often requires long-term planning and sustained effort.
Completing the marathon required months of commitment to training.
Promise
Promises rely on trust and personal integrity.
He broke his promise, which hurt their relationship.
Commitment
Reflects ongoing actions rather than a single act.
Her commitment to excellence was evident in every project she undertook.
Promise
Often involves a clear, specific commitment.
The politician made a promise to address the issue within the first 100 days in office.
Commitment
Can involve formal agreements, like contracts or vows.
Their marriage was a commitment to support each other in all aspects of life.
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.
Commitment
The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.
The company's commitment to quality
I could not fault my players for commitment
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?
Commitment
An engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action
With so many business commitments time for recreation was limited
Promise
The quality of potential excellence
He showed great promise even as a junior officer
Commitment
The act of referring a legislative bill to committee.
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
Commitment
Official consignment, as to a prison or mental health facility.
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
Commitment
A court order authorizing consignment to a prison.
Promise
A declaration assuring that one will or will not do something; a vow.
Commitment
A pledge or obligation, as to follow a certain course of action
A public official's commitment to uphold the Constitution.
Promise
Something promised.
Commitment
Something pledged, especially an engagement by contract involving financial obligation.
Promise
Indication of something favorable to come; expectation
A promise of spring in the air.
Commitment
The state of being emotionally or intellectually devoted, as to a belief, a course of action, or another person
A profound commitment to the family.
Promise
Indication of future excellence or success
A player of great promise.
Commitment
The act or an instance of committing, putting in charge, keeping, or trust, especially:
Promise
To commit oneself by a promise to do or give; pledge
Left but promised to return.
Commitment
The act of sending a legislative bill to committee for review.
Promise
To afford a basis for expecting
Thunderclouds that promise rain.
Commitment
Official consignment sending a person to prison or a mental health institution.
Promise
To make a declaration assuring that something will or will not be done.
Commitment
Promise or agreement to do something in the future, especially:
Promise
To afford a basis for expectation
An enterprise that promises well.
Commitment
Act of assuming a financial obligation at a future date.
Promise
(countable) an oath or affirmation; a vow
If I make a promise, I always stick to it;
He broke his promise
Commitment
Being bound emotionally or intellectually to a course of action or to another person or persons.
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.
Commitment
The trait of sincerity and focused purpose.
Promise
(uncountable) Reason to expect improvement or success; potential.
She shows great promise as an actress.
Commitment
Perpetration as in a crime or mistake.
Promise
A placeholder object representing the eventual result of an asynchronous operation.
Commitment
State of being pledged or engaged.
Promise
Bestowal or fulfillment of what is promised
Commitment
The act of being locked away, such as in an institution for the mentally ill or in jail.
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.
Commitment
The act of committing, or putting in charge, keeping, or trust; consignment; esp., the act of committing to prison.
They were glad to compound for his bare commitment to the Tower, whence he was within few days enlarged.
Promise
(intransitive) To give grounds for expectation, especially of something good.
The clouds promise rain.
Commitment
A warrant or order for the imprisonment of a person; - more frequently termed a mittimus.
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.
Commitment
The act of referring or intrusting to a committee for consideration and report; as, the commitment of a petition or a bill.
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.
Commitment
A doing, or perpetration, in a bad sense, as of a crime or blunder; commission.
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.
Commitment
The act of pledging or engaging; the act of exposing, endangering, or compromising; also, the state of being pledged or engaged.
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.
Commitment
The trait of sincere and steadfast fixity of purpose;
A man of energy and commitment
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.
Commitment
The act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action;
His long commitment to public service
They felt no loyalty to a losing team
Promise
To afford reason to expect; to cause hope or assurance of; as, the clouds promise rain.
Commitment
An engagement by contract involving financial obligation;
His business commitments took him to London
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.
Commitment
A message that makes a pledge
Promise
To give assurance by a promise, or binding declaration.
Commitment
The official act of consigning a person to confinement (as in a prison or mental hospital)
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.
Promise
A verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
Promise
Grounds for feeling hopeful about the future;
There is little or no promise that he will recover
Promise
Make a promise or commitment
Promise
Promise to undertake or give;
I promise you my best effort
Promise
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Promise
Give grounds for expectations;
The new results were promising
The results promised fame and glory
Common Curiosities
What is the key difference between a promise and a commitment?
The key difference is that a promise is an assurance to do or not do something, relying on trust, while a commitment involves ongoing dedication and effort towards a goal, principle, or relationship.
How does one show commitment?
Commitment is shown through consistent actions, dedication, and sustained effort towards achieving goals or upholding values and relationships.
Is a verbal promise legally binding?
While some verbal promises can have legal implications, many depend on the context and specific agreements made. Generally, formal commitments are more likely to be legally binding.
Can a commitment be broken?
While commitments can be broken, doing so often has significant implications for goals, relationships, and personal integrity, depending on the nature of the commitment.
Can a promise turn into a commitment?
Yes, a promise can evolve into a commitment if it involves sustained effort and dedication to fulfill that promise over time.
How can organizations demonstrate commitment to their values?
Organizations demonstrate commitment to their values through their policies, practices, and consistent actions that align with those values, impacting their culture and reputation.
Why is breaking a promise considered serious?
Breaking a promise is serious because it undermines trust and reliability, which are foundational to personal and professional relationships.
Why are promises important in relationships?
Promises are important in relationships because they build trust, set expectations, and ensure reliability, serving as a foundation for stronger bonds.
How do commitments impact personal growth?
Commitments drive personal growth by encouraging individuals to set goals, work towards them, and persevere through challenges, leading to achievements and self-improvement.
What makes a commitment successful?
A commitment is successful when it is maintained through continuous effort, overcoming obstacles, and achieving the intended goal or maintaining the principle or relationship it was based on.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
