swear
gb/swˈɛɹ/ us/swˈɛɹ/
B1
Inglés
~ 1200
Acepciones
0 acepciones
Verbo
informal
B1
action
1
Use offensive language
To say bad or rude words that can upset people.
Patrón de uso:
to swear [at someone/about something]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'swear' (to use bad language) with 'swear' (to make a promise). Context decides the meaning.
Sinónimos
curse (Often interchangeable, but 'curse' can also imply wishing harm on someone.)
Antónimos
praise (Opposite in that it expresses positive or kind words instead of offensive ones.)
Colocaciones
swear loudly
|swear at
|swear constantly
|swear under breath
Temas
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- He started to swear when he saw the damage to his car.
- Please don't swear in front of the children.
- She swore at the driver who cut her off.
- I heard him swear under his breath when he dropped his phone.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He swore when he hit his hand.
- Do not swear in class.
- She swore at the man.
- He swore when the glass broke.
Verbo
B1
action
2
Make a serious promise
To make a strong promise to tell the truth or do something.
Patrón de uso:
to swear [to do something/that something is true]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes think this only means using bad language, but it can also mean making a serious promise.
Sinónimos
vow ('Vow' is more formal and often used in ceremonial contexts like weddings.)
Antónimos
break a promise (Represents failing to keep one's word, the opposite of swearing to do something.)
Colocaciones
swear an oath
|swear allegiance
|swear to tell the truth
Temas
law
|relationships
|communication
|religion
Ejemplos
- He swore to return the money by Friday.
- She swore she had never seen him before.
- The witness swore to tell the truth in court.
- I swear I'll never lie to you again.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I swear I will help you.
- He swore to tell the truth.
- She swore she did not take it.
- They swear to be friends forever.
Verbo
B2
action
3
Strongly assert truth
To say you are sure something is true.
Patrón de uso:
to swear [that something is true]
Sinónimos
insist ('Insist' can be less emotional and more factual than 'swear'.)
Antónimos
deny (Means to state that something is not true, the opposite of asserting it strongly.)
Colocaciones
swear blind
|swear up and down
Temas
communication
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I swear I've seen that man before.
- She swears she left her keys on the table.
- He swore it was an accident.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I swear it is true.
- She swears she saw you.
- He swears he is right.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
swear
AFI
GB/swˈɛɹ/
US/swˈɛɹ/
Sílabas y acento
swear (1 sílaba)
Stress on 1st syllable (swear)
Formas de la palabra
Verb
- Base: swear
- 3rd Person Singular: swears
- Present Participle: swearing
- Past: swore
- Past Participle: sworn
Familia de palabras
Forms
swears
verb
swearing
verb
swore
verb
sworn
verb
Core family
swearword
noun
Advanced or less common
forswear
verb
Aspectos destacados
- Irregular past: swore Verb
- Irregular past participle: sworn Verb
Expresiones
swear by
1/swˈɛɹ bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
informal
Trust strongly in something's value
To believe something is very good or works very well.
Ejemplos
- My grandmother swears by honey and lemon for a sore throat.
- He swears by this brand of running shoes.
swear in
3/swˈɛɹ ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
Administer an oath for office
To officially make someone start their job by having them make a formal promise.
Ejemplos
- The new mayor was sworn in yesterday.
- They will swear in the witnesses before the trial starts.
swear off
2/swˈɛɹ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
informal
Stop doing something harmful
To promise not to do something bad for you again.
Ejemplos
- After getting sick, he swore off junk food for good.
- She has sworn off smoking since last year.