swear
gb/swˈɛɹ/ us/swˈɛɹ/
B1
Engels
~ 1200
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
Werkwoord
informal
B1
action
1
Use offensive language
To say bad or rude words that can upset people.
Gebruikspatroon:
to swear [at someone/about something]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'swear' (to use bad language) with 'swear' (to make a promise). Context decides the meaning.
Synoniemen
curse (Often interchangeable, but 'curse' can also imply wishing harm on someone.)
Antoniemen
praise (Opposite in that it expresses positive or kind words instead of offensive ones.)
Woordcombinaties
swear loudly
|swear at
|swear constantly
|swear under breath
Thema's
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- He swore when he hit his hand.
- Do not swear in class.
- She swore at the man.
- He swore when the glass broke.
Werkwoord
B1
action
2
Make a serious promise
To make a strong promise to tell the truth or do something.
Gebruikspatroon:
to swear [to do something/that something is true]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes think this only means using bad language, but it can also mean making a serious promise.
Synoniemen
vow ('Vow' is more formal and often used in ceremonial contexts like weddings.)
Antoniemen
break a promise (Represents failing to keep one's word, the opposite of swearing to do something.)
Woordcombinaties
swear an oath
|swear allegiance
|swear to tell the truth
Thema's
law
|relationships
|communication
|religion
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- 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.
Werkwoord
B2
action
3
Strongly assert truth
To say you are sure something is true.
Gebruikspatroon:
to swear [that something is true]
Synoniemen
insist ('Insist' can be less emotional and more factual than 'swear'.)
Antoniemen
deny (Means to state that something is not true, the opposite of asserting it strongly.)
Woordcombinaties
swear blind
|swear up and down
Thema's
communication
|core_vocabulary
Voorbeelden
- I swear I've seen that man before.
- She swears she left her keys on the table.
- He swore it was an accident.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- I swear it is true.
- She swears she saw you.
- He swears he is right.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
swear
IPA
GB/swˈɛɹ/
US/swˈɛɹ/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
swear (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (swear)
Woordvormen
Verb
- Base: swear
- 3rd Person Singular: swears
- Present Participle: swearing
- Past: swore
- Past Participle: sworn
Woordfamilie
Forms
swears
verb
swearing
verb
swore
verb
sworn
verb
Core family
swearword
noun
Advanced or less common
forswear
verb
Highlights
- Irregular past: swore Verb
- Irregular past participle: sworn Verb
Uitdrukkingen
swear by
1/swˈɛɹ bˈaɪ/
phrasal verb
informal
Trust strongly in something's value
To believe something is very good or works very well.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- 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.
Voorbeelden
- After getting sick, he swore off junk food for good.
- She has sworn off smoking since last year.