Phrasal verb
commit to
Definition
phrasal verb. To promise to give your time, money, or effort to something. You use this when you make a firm decision to stay with a plan or person.
phrasal verb. To pledge oneself to a particular course of action, policy, or person. This prepositional verb is transitive and requires a noun phrase or gerund as its object.
Examples
“I want to commit to a healthier diet this year.”
“After several long meetings, the partners finally decided to commit to the new expansion project in Southeast Asia.”
“While the government expressed support for the initiative, they were hesitant to commit to a specific timeline for the implementation of the new environmental regulations.”
Examples
simple
“I want to commit to a healthier diet this year.”
contextual
“After several long meetings, the partners finally decided to commit to the new expansion project in Southeast Asia.”
complex
“While the government expressed support for the initiative, they were hesitant to commit to a specific timeline for the implementation of the new environmental regulations.”
Usage
This phrase is often followed by a noun or a verb ending in '-ing'.
Teaching tip
Contrast this with the infinitive pattern; learners often mistakenly use 'to + base verb' because they see the word 'to'.
Pitfall
She committed to join the team.
She committed to joining the team.
The 'to' is a preposition, not an infinitive marker, so it must be followed by a gerund.
Phrasal verb
Particles
to
Separability
inseparable
Pattern
commit + to + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/commit-to