Promise is commonly followed by to + verb. By and in usually introduce time or manner expressions rather than complements of promise.
Use promise to + verb for actions someone agrees or intends to do. Promise by and promise in are not standard verb patterns, although by and in can appear in separate phrases.
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
Use to before the action that someone promises to do.
Promise can take a direct object and recipient.
By often introduces a deadline connected to the promise.
In can describe the language, document, or situation where a promise appears.
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Use to before a verb after promise.
✕ She promised for help us. ✓ She promised to help us.By usually gives a time limit.
✕ They promised by improve the system. ✓ They promised to improve the system.Use promise someone something or promise to do something.
✕ He promised me to a new phone. ✓ He promised me a new phone.In is not used before the promised action.
✕ She promised in finish the work. ✓ She promised to finish the work.Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.
Yes. Promise to + verb is the standard structure for actions.
By is possible when giving a deadline, such as by Friday, but it is not the main complement after promise.
It means you say someone will receive something, such as promise someone a reward.
Create a free account to check complete texts, apply suggestions, and save your documents.
