make a commitment

Meaning

To make a commitment means to promise to do something, or to dedicate yourself to a particular person, cause, or course of action. In relationships, it often refers to entering a serious, long-term phase like marriage or exclusivity. The tone is serious, deliberate, and formal, signaling high responsibility.

Examples

• Before you buy a house together, you both need to make a commitment.

  Before you buy a house together, you both need to make a commitment.

• They aren't ready to make a commitment to each other just yet.

  They aren't ready to make a commitment to each other just yet.

• Couples therapy can help partners who are hesitant to make a commitment.

  Couples therapy can help partners who are hesitant to make a commitment.

• Entering a marriage means you are willing to make a lifetime commitment.

  Entering a marriage means you are willing to make a lifetime commitment.

• He found it difficult to make a commitment because of his busy work schedule.

  He found it difficult to make a commitment because of his busy work schedule.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They decided to do a commitment to each other.

  ✓ They decided to make a commitment to each other.

  The verb 'make' collocated with 'commitment.' We do not 'do' or 'give' a commitment in this context.

• ✗ She made a commitment for staying with the company.

  ✓ She made a commitment to stay with the company.

  'Commitment' is followed by 'to' + infinitive verb (or a noun/pronoun), not 'for' + gerund.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Are you ready to ___ to a long-term relationship?

  💡 promise to stay dedicated to someone

  Show answer

  make a commitment

• It is hard for him to ___ when he keeps moving from city to city.

  💡 pledge loyalty or dedicate oneself

  Show answer

  make a commitment