Discussion Forum

Please consider registering
guest

Log In Register

Login form protected by Login LockDown.


Register | Lost password?
Advanced Search:

— Forum Scope —



— Match —



— Forum Options —




Wildcard usage:
*  matches any number of characters    %  matches exactly one character

Minimum search word length is 4 characters - maximum search word length is 84 characters

RSS
Promise the past
Can promise be for the past ?
2013/03/05
10:09pm
RobertB
Posts: 273
Joined:
2012/02/20
Offline
Is it right to use 'I promise' as 'Believe me,  it's true'?
  I didn't lie to you. I promise!
  I didn't gamble last night. I promise!
(Usually it's when denying that one did something bad)

 

2013/03/06
6:09am
Glenn
Posts: 1399
Joined:
2009/03/03
Offline
2
0

The online Compact OED lists this use as informal.
I promise (phrase)

I promise (or I promise you)
informal used for emphasis, especially so as to reassure, encourage, or threaten someone:oh, I’m not joking, I promise you