swore
B1Formal, Informal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
The past tense of the verb 'swear', meaning to make a solemn promise or declaration.
Also used to mean uttering a curse or offensive word; to state something with great conviction, often emotionally; to bind oneself by an oath.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Irregular past tense form. Context is crucial for disambiguation: 'swore an oath' (solemn promise) vs. 'swore at the driver' (cursed).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal differences in meaning or usage. The frequency of 'swore' in legal/official contexts may be slightly higher in American English due to the commonality of swearing-in ceremonies for public office.
Connotations
In both, 'swore' can carry strong moral weight when related to promises, and social taboo when related to profanity. The perceived severity of the profanity may vary culturally.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NP __ NP (He swore an oath)NP __ (to INF) (She swore to protect them)NP __ that-clause (He swore that he was innocent)NP __ PP (at NP) (He swore at the referee)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “swore black and blue (insisted vehemently)”
- “swore like a tropper (cursed profusely)”
- “swore on (his mother's) grave (made a very serious promise)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used cautiously in contracts or agreements, e.g., 'The witness swore an affidavit.'
Academic
Used in historical/legal contexts describing oaths, e.g., 'The knights swore fealty to the king.'
Everyday
Common for promises and expressions of frustration, e.g., 'She swore she'd be on time.', 'He swore when he dropped the plate.'
Technical
In legal contexts for formal oaths; in computing (colloquial) for expressing frustration with bugs, e.g., 'I swore at my computer all morning.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He swore on the Bible to tell the truth.
- The footballer swore at the referee and got a red card.
American English
- She swore allegiance to the flag.
- He swore a blue streak when the car wouldn't start.
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as a standard adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a standard adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as a standard adjective. Use 'sworn' as in 'a sworn statement').
American English
- (Not applicable as a standard adjective. Use 'sworn' as in 'my sworn enemy').
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He swore he didn't take the money.
- She swore loudly when she hurt her finger.
- The president swore to uphold the constitution.
- I swore I would never eat pizza again, but here I am.
- Witnesses must swear an oath before giving evidence in court.
- After being betrayed, he swore vengeance on those who wronged him.
- The informant swore the agent to secrecy before revealing the documents.
- He swore blind that he had been at home all evening, despite evidence to the contrary.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SWORE = SOLEMN WORD (or OATH) RECALLED EARNESTLY. It sounds like the past of 'swear', just as 'tore' is to 'tear'.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROMISE IS A BOND (He swore an oath and was bound by it). TRUTH IS SOLID (She swore it was true, as if hammering the fact). ANGER IS HEAT (He swore, letting off steam).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'swore' as past tense of 'swear' and the Russian verb 'сверять' (to check/verify).
- The Russian cognate 'клялся/поклялся' is a close match for the solemn promise sense.
- The profanity sense ('ругался') is different and more specific to verbal abuse/cursing.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'sworn' instead of 'swore' for the simple past (e.g., 'He had sworn' is correct, but 'He sworn yesterday' is not).
- Confusing the spelling with 'swo re' or 'swoar'.
- Mispronouncing the 'w' as silent (it is /sw/, not /s/).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following sentences uses 'swore' in the sense of making a solemn promise?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it has two primary meanings: 1) to make a solemn promise or oath (formal/neutral), and 2) to use offensive language (informal). Context clarifies which.
'Swore' is the simple past tense ('Yesterday, I swore an oath'). 'Sworn' is the past participle used with auxiliary verbs to form perfect tenses or as an adjective ('I have sworn', 'a sworn statement').
Yes, but typically in formal, legalistic sub-contexts, such as 'The director swore an affidavit' or 'They swore to abide by the non-disclosure agreement.'
No. The spelling is identical. Pronunciation differs slightly: the 'r' is pronounced in the American version (/swɔːr/), while it is not in standard British Received Pronunciation (/swɔː/).