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B1 Noun (plural) / Verb (3rd person singular) #36 よく出る 11分で読める

pledges

Formal promises or solemn commitments to do something, give something, or follow a specific course of action. They are often used in contexts involving money, politics, or serious personal oaths.

上位36

At the A1 level, you can think of 'pledges' as a very strong 'promise.' Imagine you tell your teacher, 'I promise to do my homework.' That is a simple promise. A 'pledge' is like that, but more serious. You might see this word in stories about kings or heroes who make a 'pledge' to help people. As a verb, we say 'He pledges' or 'She pledges.' It means they say 'I will definitely do this.' You don't need to use this word every day yet, but it is good to know it means a very big promise. For example, 'The boy pledges to be a good friend.'

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At the A2 level, you should know that 'pledges' is used for formal situations. It is more than just a casual 'yes.' You might hear it in the news when a famous person 'pledges' money to help a school. It can be a noun (the promise itself) or a verb (the act of promising). For example, 'The school received many pledges of money.' This means many people promised to give money. Or, 'The president pledges to help the poor.' This means the president made a public promise. It is a useful word for talking about charities and big plans.

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At the B1 level, you can start using 'pledges' in your writing to sound more professional. It is a key word for discussing social issues, politics, and charity. You should understand that a 'pledge' often involves a sense of duty or honor. If a company 'pledges to reduce plastic,' they are making a public commitment that people will expect them to keep. You should also notice common patterns like 'pledges of support' or 'pledges to improve.' It is a 'count noun,' so you can have one pledge or many pledges. As a verb, remember the 's' for third-person singular: 'The nation pledges its support.'

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable using 'pledges' in various contexts, including financial and political discussions. You should recognize that 'pledges' often implies a future action that is being guaranteed now. In business, a 'pledge' can be a form of security for a loan (collateral). You should also be aware of the word's use in American culture regarding 'pledges' in fraternities or the 'Pledge of Allegiance.' At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'pledges,' 'oaths,' and 'vows,' choosing the right one for the level of formality and the specific social context you are describing.

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At the C1 level, you should appreciate the rhetorical power of the word 'pledges.' It is often used by leaders to build trust and by activists to demand accountability. You should understand the nuance of 'broken pledges' and how they impact political capital. In legal and high-finance contexts, 'pledges' refers to the bailment of property as security. You should be able to use the word in complex sentence structures, such as 'The efficacy of the international treaty relies heavily on the fulfillment of the various national pledges made during the summit.' You should also be familiar with idiomatic uses and historical connotations.

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At the C2 level, you should have a complete mastery of 'pledges,' including its etymological roots and its role in formal discourse. You can use it to discuss abstract concepts of loyalty, social contracts, and international relations with precision. You should understand how 'pledges' functions in different legal systems as a form of possessory security interest. Your usage should reflect an understanding of register—knowing exactly when 'pledges' is superior to 'commitments' or 'assurances' for stylistic effect. You can analyze the use of 'pledges' in historical documents and modern policy papers, noting how the word constructs a sense of moral and legal obligation.

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練習する例文メモとヒント

pledges 30秒で

Pledges are formal, serious promises often made in public, political, or charitable contexts to ensure accountability and trust between parties.
The word functions as both a plural noun (the promises) and a third-person singular verb (the act of promising) in professional English.
Commonly used in fundraising to describe promised donations and in politics to describe a candidate's specific commitments to the voting public.
It carries a higher level of formality than 'promise' and can also refer to physical security or collateral in legal and financial transactions.

The word pledges functions as both a plural noun and a third-person singular verb, carrying a weight of formality and solemnity that distinguishes it from everyday promises. At its core, a pledge is a serious commitment, often made publicly or in a legal or financial context. When a person or an organization 'pledges' something, they are not just saying they might do it; they are putting their reputation, and sometimes their assets, on the line. This term is a staple in the worlds of philanthropy, politics, and international diplomacy, where 'pledges of support' or 'financial pledges' serve as the foundation for collective action and trust-building.

The Philanthropic Context: In the world of non-profit organizations and charities, pledges are the lifeblood of fundraising. A donor might not have the cash on hand immediately, but they make a pledge to donate a specific amount over a period of time. This allows the charity to plan future projects based on these committed funds. For example, a university might receive pledges totaling millions of dollars for a new library, even if the physical money arrives in installments over five years.
The Political Arena: Politicians frequently use pledges to signal their priorities to voters. During an election campaign, a candidate might make 'pledges' to lower taxes, improve healthcare, or protect the environment. These are seen as more binding than mere 'goals' or 'aims.' When a leader fails to fulfill these pledges, they often face significant political backlash, as the word implies a sacred bond between the representative and the represented.

"The billionaire philanthropist pledges half of his fortune to climate change research over the next decade."

Example of the verb form in a high-stakes financial context.

Beyond money and politics, 'pledges' are central to social organizations. In the United States, 'pledging' is a specific process for joining fraternities or sororities, where prospective members (known as 'pledges') commit to a period of trial and learning before being fully initiated. Similarly, the 'Pledge of Allegiance' is a daily ritual in many American schools, where students formally declare their loyalty to the country and its flag. This usage highlights the word's connection to identity and belonging.

"The nations signed the accord, making several pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 2030."

Example of the noun form in international diplomacy.

Legal and Financial Security: In a more technical sense, a pledge can refer to a bailment of personal property as security for a debt. If someone 'pledges' their jewelry to a pawnbroker, they are handing over the physical item as a guarantee that they will repay a loan. If the loan isn't repaid, the pawnbroker keeps the pledge. This shows the word's historical roots in tangible security and collateral.

"She pledges her family's heirloom watch as collateral for the emergency loan."

"The charity gala was a success, with total pledges exceeding five million dollars."

In summary, 'pledges' is a word that bridges the gap between words and actions. It is used when a simple 'yes' isn't enough, and a formal, often public, declaration of intent is required to ensure accountability and trust across various sectors of society.

Using pledges correctly requires an understanding of its dual role as a noun and a verb. As a verb, it follows the standard third-person singular conjugation (he/she/it pledges). As a noun, it refers to the commitments themselves. The preposition 'to' is the most common companion for the verb form, while 'of' often follows the noun form.

Verb Patterns: Subject + Pledges + To + Verb: This is the most common way to describe a commitment to an action.
Example: 'The CEO pledges to increase transparency in the company's financial reporting.' Here, the action being committed to is 'increasing transparency.'
Noun Patterns: Make/Fulfill/Honor + Pledges: When using the noun form, you need a strong verb to activate it. You 'make' a pledge when you start it, and you 'honor' or 'fulfill' it when you complete it.
Example: 'It is vital that the government honors its pledges to the veteran community.'

"Every morning, the student pledges allegiance to the flag with her hand over her heart."

Verb usage indicating a repeated, ritualistic commitment.

When discussing financial contributions, 'pledges' often stands alone as a plural noun. In a sentence like 'The hospital received several large pledges,' the word implies that the money has been promised but perhaps not yet delivered. This distinction is crucial in accounting and project management.

"The company pledges 1% of its annual profits to local environmental charities."

Passive Voice Usage: While less common, you might see 'pledged' in passive constructions, but 'pledges' is almost always active. For example: 'The funds that the donor pledges are earmarked for the scholarship fund.'

"Despite his many pledges of reform, very little actually changed in the department."

Noun usage showing 'pledges of [something].'

"The new law pledges additional resources to rural schools."

By mastering these patterns, you can use 'pledges' to convey a sense of authority and commitment in your writing, whether you are discussing corporate social responsibility, political manifestos, or personal dedication.

You are most likely to encounter pledges in environments where formal commitments are being made to the public or to a specific cause. It is a 'high-register' word, meaning it appears more often in news broadcasts, broadsheet newspapers, and formal speeches than in casual coffee-shop conversations.

The News and Media: Journalists love the word 'pledges' because it provides a punchy way to describe political promises. Headlines like 'Government Pledges Millions for Infrastructure' or 'Candidate Pledges to End Corruption' are common. It sounds more definitive and newsworthy than 'says they will do something.'
Charity Galas and Telethons: If you watch a fundraising event on TV, you will hear the host ask for 'pledges.' They might say, 'We are taking pledges over the phone right now!' In this context, it specifically means a promise to donate money. The 'pledge drive' is a common term for a period of intense fundraising, often seen on public radio or television stations like NPR or PBS.

"During the telethon, the total amount of pledges reached a record-breaking ten million dollars by midnight."

In American university culture, the word takes on a very specific meaning. During 'rush week,' students who want to join a fraternity or sorority become 'pledges.' You might hear someone say, 'He's one of the new pledges for Sigma Chi.' This refers to the people themselves, acting as a collective noun for the initiates.

"The Prime Minister's pledges on healthcare were the central focus of the evening news broadcast."

International Summits: At events like the COP climate summits, you will hear about 'national pledges.' These are the specific targets each country sets for itself to reduce pollution. Because there is often no global 'police force' to enforce these, the word 'pledge' is used to show that it is a commitment based on national honor and international pressure.

"The diplomat pledges her country's full cooperation in the upcoming peace negotiations."

"The organization pledges to maintain the highest standards of ethics in all its operations."

Whether it is a billionaire promising their wealth to science or a student promising loyalty to a club, 'pledges' is the word of choice for moments where a commitment is being codified and made part of the public record.

While pledges is a useful word, its formal nature makes it easy to misuse in casual settings or to confuse with similar terms. Understanding these pitfalls will help you sound more natural and precise in your English usage.

Over-Formality in Casual Speech: The biggest mistake is using 'pledges' for minor, everyday promises.
❌ Incorrect: 'My friend pledges to bring the pizza tonight.'
✅ Correct: 'My friend promised to bring the pizza tonight.'
Using 'pledges' here makes it sound like a legal contract or a solemn oath, which is usually too intense for a social gathering.
Confusing 'Pledge' with 'Oath': While they are synonyms, they are not always interchangeable. An 'oath' often has a religious or legal connotation (like in a courtroom), while a 'pledge' is often about a commitment to a cause or a donation. You 'take an oath' but you 'make a pledge.'

"He pledges his support to the cause, but he refuses to take a formal oath of office."

Showing the subtle difference between a pledge and an oath.

Another common error involves subject-verb agreement. Because 'pledges' can be both a plural noun and a singular verb, learners often get confused.
• 'The pledges (noun) are on the table.' (Plural noun)
• 'She pledges (verb) to help.' (Singular verb)
• 'They pledge (verb) to help.' (Plural verb)

"The mayor pledges that the project will be finished on time."

Using 'pledges that' is also a valid and common structure.

Confusing with 'Platitudes': In political analysis, critics sometimes say a leader is 'offering pledges instead of plans.' This implies that the pledges are empty or lack detail. However, don't confuse the word 'pledge' with 'platitude' (a boring, overused remark). A pledge is a commitment; a platitude is just a cliché.

"The bank pledges its assets to secure the international loan."

"The student pledges to study four hours every day for the exam."

By avoiding these common errors, you will be able to use 'pledges' with the appropriate level of gravity and grammatical accuracy, ensuring your message is both clear and professional.

While pledges is a powerful word, sometimes you need a different shade of meaning. Depending on whether you are talking about a promise, a legal guarantee, or a social commitment, one of these alternatives might be more suitable.

Pledges vs. Promises: A 'promise' is the general term. It can be small ('I promise to call you') or large. A 'pledge' is almost always large and formal. If you use 'pledge,' you are adding a layer of ceremony or public accountability that 'promise' lacks.
Pledges vs. Vows: A 'vow' is even more intense than a pledge. Vows are usually personal, spiritual, or religious (e.g., marriage vows, monk's vows). Pledges are more likely to be social, political, or financial. You pledge money to a charity, but you vow to love someone forever.

"The knight pledges his sword to the king, a commitment more formal than a simple promise."

Comparing 'pledge' with 'promise' in a historical context.

In business and law, you might use 'guarantees' or 'commitments.' A 'guarantee' often has a legal or financial penalty if it is not met. A 'commitment' is a broader term that can describe a long-term dedication to a project or person.

"The city council pledges to rebuild the park, though some residents prefer a written guarantee."

Other Alternatives

Assurances: Used when someone is trying to make you feel less worried. 'The manager gave us assurances (pledges) that our jobs were safe.'
Covenants: A very formal, often biblical or legal term for a binding agreement.
Oaths: Solemn appeals to a deity or to one's honor to tell the truth or fulfill a duty.

"The candidate's pledges were seen as more sincere than the vague assurances of his opponent."

"She pledges her life to the service of the poor, a vow she has kept for forty years."

Understanding these synonyms allows you to vary your vocabulary and choose the word that perfectly fits the level of formality and the specific context of your communication.

How Formal Is It?

フォーマル

ニュートラル

カジュアル

Child friendly

スラング

豆知識

In the Middle Ages, a 'pledge' could literally be a person's life; if the person they vouched for didn't show up to court, the 'pledge' might have to face the punishment instead!

発音ガイド

UK /ˈpledʒɪz/

US /ˈpledʒɪz/

The stress is on the first syllable: PLEDG-es.

韻が合う語

hedges edges ledges wedges sedges alleges dredges fledges

よくある間違い

Pronouncing the 'd' and 'g' separately (it should be one 'j' sound).
Missing the 'iz' sound at the end for the plural/3rd person form.
Using a long 'e' sound like 'pleadges'.
Dropping the 's' sound in fast speech.
Over-emphasizing the 'd' so it sounds like 'pled-ges'.

難易度

読解 3/5

Common in news and formal texts, but easy to understand from context.

ライティング 4/5

Requires understanding of formal register to use naturally.

スピーキング 4/5

Not common in casual speech; sounds overly formal if used wrong.

リスニング 3/5

Frequently heard in news broadcasts and speeches.

次に学ぶべきこと

前提知識

promise formal give money

次に学ぶ

commitment obligation collateral manifesto

上級

surety bailment fealty covenant

知っておくべき文法

Third-Person Singular -s

He pledges (singular) vs. They pledge (plural).

Infinitive after Verb

She pledges to help (to + verb).

Prepositional Phrases

A pledge of loyalty (noun + of + noun).

Countable Nouns

He made many pledges (plural form).

That-Clauses

The company pledges that it will improve.

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レベル別の例文

The king pledges to help the village.

The king makes a big promise to help.

Third-person singular verb.

She pledges to be a good student.

She promises very seriously to study.

Verb + to + infinitive.

He pledges his lunch to his friend.

He promises to give his lunch.

Verb + object.

The children make pledges to be kind.

The children make big promises.

Plural noun.

My dad pledges to take us to the park.

Dad promises to go to the park.

Third-person singular verb.

The hero pledges to save the city.

The hero promises to protect the city.

Verb + to + infinitive.

She makes three pledges today.

She makes three promises.

Plural noun.

The cat pledges to catch the mouse.

The cat promises to catch it.

Personification in a story.

The mayor pledges to build a new park.

The city leader promises a park.

Formal verb usage.

The charity received many pledges of money.

People promised to give money.

Noun + of + noun.

He pledges ten dollars to the school.

He promises to give $10.

Verb + amount + to + recipient.

The company pledges to use less plastic.

The business promises to be green.

Corporate commitment.

She pledges her support to the team.

She promises to help the team.

Verb + object + to + recipient.

The students signed their pledges of honesty.

They signed promises to be honest.

Plural noun.

He pledges to finish the work by Friday.

He promises to finish soon.

Verb + to + infinitive.

The town pledges to keep the streets clean.

The town promises cleanliness.

Collective noun as subject.

The billionaire pledges half his wealth to charity.

He commits a large sum of money.

High-stakes commitment.

Voters are waiting for the candidate to fulfill his pledges.

They want him to keep his promises.

Fulfill + noun.

The organization pledges to protect endangered species.

They commit to saving animals.

Institutional pledge.

We collected over fifty pledges during the fundraiser.

We got fifty promises of money.

Countable noun.

The government pledges to create more jobs this year.

They promise more employment.

Political pledge.

She pledges her loyalty to the new manager.

She commits to being loyal.

Abstract noun as object.

The university pledges to improve student housing.

The school promises better dorms.

Formal commitment.

He pledges that he will never lie to his family again.

He makes a serious promise.

Pledges + that clause.

The Paris Agreement involves national pledges to reduce carbon.

Countries committed to lower pollution.

International context.

He pledges his property as security for the business loan.

He uses his house as a guarantee.

Financial/Legal usage.

The fraternity pledges are required to learn the house history.

The new members must study.

Noun referring to people.

The Prime Minister's pledges were met with skepticism by the press.

The reporters didn't believe the promises.

Passive construction context.

She pledges to uphold the ethical standards of the profession.

She commits to being ethical.

Professional oath/pledge.

The bank pledges its support for the new infrastructure project.

The bank promises to help build.

Corporate backing.

Despite his many pledges, the CEO failed to change the culture.

He promised but didn't do it.

Contrastive usage.

The museum pledges to return the artifacts to their home country.

The museum promises to give back items.

Restitution context.

The candidate's rhetoric was filled with empty pledges and platitudes.

The promises lacked substance.

Critical/Nuanced usage.

In a display of solidarity, the nations made reciprocal pledges of aid.

They promised to help each other.

Diplomatic terminology.

The law pledges the state to a policy of total carbon neutrality.

The law binds the state to a goal.

Legal commitment.

The success of the fundraiser hinges on the redemption of these pledges.

They need people to actually pay.

Formal noun usage.

She pledges her silence regarding the confidential matters discussed.

She promises not to talk.

Secrecy/Confidentiality.

The treaty contains specific pledges concerning the treatment of refugees.

The agreement has rules for refugees.

Human rights context.

He pledges his life's work to the eradication of tropical diseases.

He dedicates his career to a cause.

Life-long commitment.

The company pledges to divest from fossil fuels by the end of the decade.

They promise to stop investing in oil.

Financial/Environmental policy.

The sovereign pledges the crown jewels as collateral for the national debt.

The monarch uses treasures as security.

Historical/Legal precision.

The philosophical treatise explores the nature of social pledges in a democracy.

The book looks at social contracts.

Academic/Abstract usage.

The diplomat's speech was a masterful tapestry of nuanced pledges and strategic ambiguity.

The promises were complex and careful.

Sophisticated register.

The court ruled that the verbal pledges made during the merger were legally binding.

The spoken promises are now law.

Legal precedent.

He pledges his fealty to the lord, an act steeped in medieval tradition.

He promises loyalty in an old way.

Archaic/Historical context.

The environmental pact is weakened by the lack of enforcement for non-binding pledges.

The promises aren't forced, so it's weak.

Policy analysis.

She pledges her unwavering commitment to the pursuit of objective truth.

She dedicates herself to honesty.

Abstract/Idealistic.

The restructuring plan pledges the future earnings of the subsidiary to the creditors.

Future money is promised to lenders.

Complex corporate finance.

よく使う組み合わせ

solemn pledges

financial pledges

fulfill pledges

honor pledges

broken pledges

make pledges

campaign pledges

pledges of support

pledges of loyalty

redeem pledges

よく使うフレーズ

Pledge of Allegiance

Pledge drive

Take a pledge

Sign a pledge

Honor a pledge

Redeem a pledge

Campaign pledges

Pledge one's support

Pledge of secrecy

A pledge of friendship

よく混同される語

pledges vs promises

Promises are more general and less formal than pledges.

pledges vs oaths

Oaths often have a religious or legal witness, while pledges are social/financial.

pledges vs vows

Vows are usually deeply personal or spiritual, like marriage vows.

慣用句と表現

"A pledge of one's word"

A formal way of saying you are giving your word of honor.

I give you my pledge of my word that I will return.

Formal

"Under pledge of"

Being bound by a promise to do or not do something.

He spoke under pledge of anonymity.

Formal

"Pledge the troth"

An archaic way to say 'promise to marry.'

They pledged their troth in the old chapel.

Archaic

"Sign the pledge"

Specifically refers to promising not to drink alcohol (historical).

My great-grandfather signed the pledge in 1910.

Historical

"Pledge one's life"

To commit everything one has to a cause.

They pledged their lives to the revolution.

Literary

"A hollow pledge"

A promise that has no real meaning or intention behind it.

The dictator's pledges of reform were hollow.

Journalistic

"Redeem the pledge"

To finally do the thing that was promised long ago.

The nation finally redeemed its pledge of equality.

Formal

"Pledge of faith"

A serious promise based on trust and belief.

The treaty was a pledge of faith between the two nations.

Formal

"Pledge of love"

A gift or token given to show romantic commitment.

The locket was a pledge of his love.

Literary

"Pledge of security"

Something given to ensure a debt is paid.

The land served as a pledge of security for the loan.

Technical

間違えやすい

pledges vs Platitudes

Both are used in politics.

A pledge is a commitment; a platitude is a boring, empty cliché.

He gave us platitudes instead of real pledges.

pledges vs Hedges

Rhyming and similar structure.

A hedge is a fence made of bushes; a pledge is a promise.

The garden has tall hedges.

pledges vs Edges

Rhyming.

An edge is the border of something; a pledge is a promise.

The knife has sharp edges.

pledges vs Pleadings

Similar sound.

Pleadings are legal documents in a lawsuit; pledges are promises.

The lawyer filed the pleadings.

pledges vs Plunges

Similar sound.

Plunges means to dive or fall quickly; pledges are promises.

The stock market plunges.

文型パターン

Subject + pledges + to + [verb]

The boy pledges to study.

Subject + makes + [adjective] + pledges

The donor makes large pledges.

Pledges + of + [noun]

We received pledges of support.

Subject + pledges + [noun] + as + [noun]

He pledges his car as collateral.

Fulfill/Honor + [possessive] + pledges

She honored her pledges.

Despite + [adjective] + pledges, + [clause]

Despite solemn pledges, the project failed.

Subject + pledges + that + [clause]

The state pledges that taxes will not rise.

The [noun] + of + pledges + [verb]

The redemption of pledges is slow.

語族

名詞

動詞

形容詞

使い方

frequency

Common in journalism, fundraising, and formal speeches.

よくある間違い

I pledge you to help. → I pledge to help you.
The verb 'pledge' is usually followed by 'to' and an infinitive, not an object pronoun directly.
He make many pledges. → He makes many pledges.
Don't forget the 's' on the verb for third-person singular subjects.
The pledges of the candidate was big. → The pledges of the candidate were big.
The noun 'pledges' is plural, so it requires a plural verb ('were').
I pledge for doing the work. → I pledge to do the work.
Use 'to + infinitive' instead of 'for + gerund' after the verb pledge.
She took a pledge of marry him. → She took a pledge to marry him.
When using the noun 'pledge' with an action, use 'to + infinitive'.

ヒント

Use for Formal Commitments

Always choose 'pledges' when you want to emphasize that a promise is serious, public, or official.

Check the Subject

Remember: 'He pledges' (singular) but 'They pledge' (plural). This is a common mistake for learners.

Learn Collocations

Pair the word with 'solemn', 'financial', or 'campaign' to sound more like a native speaker.

Charity Context

In fundraising, 'pledges' are the promises, and 'donations' are the actual payments. Use both correctly.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use 'pledges' more than once in a short paragraph; use 'commitments' or 'promises' as synonyms.

Pronunciation

Make sure to pronounce the final 'iz' sound clearly so people know you are using the plural or 3rd person form.

Professional Tone

Use 'pledges' in business emails when you are making a serious guarantee to a client.

US University Life

If you are in the US, be aware that 'pledge' can also be a noun for a person joining a club.

Collateral

In finance, 'to pledge' means to give something as security. This is a very specific and important meaning.

The 'Edge' Mnemonic

Remember that a pledge has an 'edge'—it's sharper and more serious than a normal promise.

暗記しよう

記憶術

PLEDGE starts with 'P' like 'Promise', but it has an 'Edge' because it is a sharper, more serious commitment.

視覚的連想

Imagine a person signing a giant, golden scroll in front of a crowd. This represents the formal and public nature of a pledge.

Word Web

Promise Charity Politics Money Loyalty Security Formal Public

チャレンジ

Try to write three sentences about a goal you have. In the first, use 'promise'. In the second, use 'commitment'. In the third, use 'pledges' to see how the tone changes.

語源

The word 'pledge' comes from the Old French word 'pleige', which meant a person who acts as a surety or bail for another. This French word likely has Germanic roots, related to the Old Saxon 'plegan' meaning to vouch for or take responsibility for.

元の意味： Originally, a pledge was a person who stood as a guarantee for someone else's debt or behavior.

Indo-European > Germanic > Old French > Middle English.

文化的な背景

Be aware that in the context of US fraternities, 'pledging' can sometimes be associated with 'hazing' (abusive initiation rituals), which is a sensitive and often illegal topic.

Commonly used in 'pledge drives' for public radio (NPR) and television (PBS).

The Pledge of Allegiance (US) The Giving Pledge (Billionaires committing to give away wealth) The environmental pledges of the Paris Agreement

実生活で練習する

実際の使用場面

Charity Fundraising

make a pledge
pledge drive
financial pledges
redeem a pledge

Politics

campaign pledges
pledges of reform
fulfill a pledge
broken pledges

Legal/Finance

pledge as collateral
pledge assets
written pledge
security pledge

Education/Social

Pledge of Allegiance
fraternity pledges
pledge of silence
pledge of loyalty

Environment

carbon pledges
national pledges
sustainability pledges
green pledges

会話のきっかけ

"What are some of the most important pledges a politician can make?"

"Have you ever made a pledge to a charity or a cause you believe in?"

"Do you think 'pledges' are more meaningful than simple 'promises'?"

"What happens in your country if a leader breaks their campaign pledges?"

"Would you ever pledge your personal property as security for a friend's loan?"

日記のテーマ

Write about a time you made a serious pledge to yourself. Did you keep it? Why or why not?

If you were a billionaire, what kind of pledges would you make to help the world?

Discuss the importance of the Pledge of Allegiance or a similar national ritual in your culture.

Analyze a recent political pledge made in the news. Do you think it will be fulfilled?

Reflect on the difference between a promise made to a friend and a pledge made to an organization.

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It can be both. As a plural noun, it means 'the promises' (e.g., 'He made many pledges'). As a third-person singular verb, it means 'he/she/it promises' (e.g., 'She pledges to help').

It is better not to. Using it for small things like 'I pledge to buy milk' sounds too dramatic. Use 'promise' for everyday things.

A pledge drive is a period of time, often on public radio or TV, where they ask people to call in and promise to donate money.

It refers to the process of joining a fraternity or sorority, where the new members are called 'pledges' and must complete certain tasks.

In many cases, yes. In business, if you pledge assets as collateral, it is a legal contract. In charity, it depends on the specific agreement, but it is always a moral obligation.

It is pronounced PLED-jiz. The 'dg' makes a 'j' sound, and the 'es' sounds like 'iz'.

It is a formal promise of loyalty to the United States, usually recited by students in schools.

A broken pledge is a promise that was not kept. It is a very common phrase in politics when a leader fails to do what they said they would.

Yes, in older English, you could 'pledge' someone's health by drinking a toast to them, but this is rare today.

A pledge is a promise to give money in the future. A donation is the act of giving the money itself.

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