Promises are easily made but often broken. We’ve all been on the receiving end of assurances that go unfulfilled. It’s frustrating when people don’t follow through on their word.
But how do you politely yet firmly ask someone to keep a promise without damaging the relationship?
This piece provides 15 interesting phrases to request promise-keeping while inspiring integrity rather than guilt. From playful reminders to sincere appeals, you’ll find creative options to hold people accountable to their word. Keeping promises speaks volumes about character.
With the right approach, you can uphold agreements without compromise.
15 Interesting Ways to Say “Please Keep Your Promise”
- I’m holding you to your word on this one!
- I’ll be waiting with bated breath for you to come through.
- You shook on it, so let’s make it happen.
- Don’t make a liar out of yourself – keep your promise!
- I uphold my end, now it’s your turn to keep your word.
- I just wanted to remind you that the time frame of what you promised is getting close and I’m depending on you
- I’m counting on your word being as good as gold.
- Don’t go back on your word – you pinky swore!
- Time to put your wages where your mouth is.
- Can I trust you to fulfill your commitment?
- Please don’t let me down.
- Your pledge matters to me. Do well to fulfill it.
- I’m eagerly waiting to see you fulfill your promise
- Would you kindly honor the commitment you made?
- I’m not trying to pressure you but this is a reminder of what you promised. I hope we still plan to do it.
1. I’m holding you to your word on this one!
Lay emphasis to show seriousness. For someone who easily makes promises even as a joke, when you are discussing a matter of grave importance, you have to let them know that this promise isn’t just one that they can laugh off when it is time to act.
Laying emphasis will tell them how serious you are and why they should not break their promise. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m holding you to your word on this one! It shouldn’t be like last Tuesday when you left me hanging.
2. I’ll be waiting with bated breath for you to come through.
Let them know you are expecting. What is the one to show that someone is expectant or eager for something? They hold their breath. It might even be done unconsciously. It is because their mind is focused on what is about to be revealed.
You can give off the same vibe as well with your words. It’s like saying I won’t take another breath because I’m waiting for your fulfillment promise. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’ll be waiting with bated breath for you to come through. It will mean a lot to finally see it.
3. You shook on it, so let’s make it happen.
Tell them the deal has been made. In the past, when you shake on something it’s like signing a contract. That was how serious it was. Shaking on something even if it is as small as a promise shows that a deal has been struck.
While it may not be something formal, they are trusting them to do as they have promised you. Here’s a sentence example:
- You shook on it, so let’s make it happen. I have started working on my part so by next Friday we will have finished this deal.
4. Don’t make a liar out of yourself – keep your promise!
Point out the consequences. When you make a promise, people hold you by your word. It’s not a contract or any other way that they can hold you down to what was written or before an authority.
Most times promises you make to others do not have any real consequences if you don’t keep them. If you don’t keep your word it means what you have said is false which makes you a liar. I’m sure people who make promises do not want to be seen as liars.
Here’s a sentence example:
- Don’t make a liar out of yourself – keep your promise! You will be killing your reputation if you don’t.
5. I uphold my end, now it’s your turn to keep your word.
Remind them in the case of a deal. A deal is a two-way agreement. When it is sealed by a simple promise, you might have reason to worry, especially if you are the one letting go of something first.
When you do, however, let them know that you have fulfilled your ending and the bargain am third is left. Being this serious will push them to keep their deal. Here’s a sentence example:
- I uphold my end, now it’s your turn to keep your word. I don’t want any stories, please. Disappointment is the last thing I want.
6. I just wanted to remind you that the time frame of what you promised is getting close and I’m depending on you
Give them a timeframe. Most people make promises when they are happy or very emotionally sensitive such as when they are very angry or upset about anything.
If they promised you something, anything at all, simply telling them to keep their promise might do especially if they don’t fully understand what their promise entails.
A deadline or time frame for instance will serve to remind them that they have to go very their words to actions. Here’s a sentence example:
- I just wanted to remind you that the time frame of what you promised is getting close and I’m depending on you. I have till next tomorrow to tie it in.
7. I’m counting on your word being as good as gold.
Show them you have trust in their word. There are different ways we can verify the truth. For example, there are friends that when they make promises they are empty words but when they back it with certain actions like a swear you know they are as good as gold.
Telling them that you hold their words are gold says their words are valuable and you don’t joke with them at all. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m counting on your word being as good as gold. If you say you are going to do it then I trust you.
8. Don’t go back on your word – you pinky swore!
Point out what you used to secure the promise. It might sound silly but if it isn’t a pinky promise, it is some other type of action that people use to say that between themselves the promise stands and is not a joke.
Some go for a handshake while others go for some type of swear or oath. Usually breaking this pact has its consequences so remind them of this so they know you are not there to mess around. Here’s a sentence example:
- Don’t go back on your word – you pinky swore! Anyone who breaks a pinky promise gets kicked out of the group. You don’t want that, do you?
9. Time to put your wages where your mouth is.
Tell them to take action. To put your money where your mouth is is to make your words concrete.
A person who promises to put in a good word for you so you could get a job or a certain favor isn’t putting money but is putting action to his words. This saying is very good because it sounds like a proverb. Here’s a sentence example:
- Time to put your wages where your mouth is. The boys are counting on you. We know you can handle this. Let us know when you are done. Good luck.
10. Can I trust you to fulfill your commitment?
Structure it into a question. When you place it in a question format, affirming it reminds them of all the promises that they made entails. Your question can remind them of the details they might have forgotten but are important to the fulfillment of the promise.
Besides, in the case where they can no longer fulfill the promise due to unforeseen circumstances, they can let you know so you can find a compromise that works for everyone. Here’s a sentence example:
- Can I trust you to fulfill your commitment? Remember you promised me the whole of Tuesday evening. We are to be at Lisa’s recital to cheer her on. She looks up to you and it will be a wonderful surprise and a great confidence boost.
11. Please don’t let me down.
Go for something concise and simple. A lot of sentimental words can stir fear sometimes, so just stick to what we all can hear and understand. It may not be that you are particularly relying on them.
If you are dependent on them, it is a serious plea that when made, will strengthen their resolve to uphold their word and keep the promise they made to you. Here’s a sentence example:
- Please don’t let me down. I know you to be honest and that does Ashe says. Don’t let this be an exception. You are all I have.
12. Your pledge matters to me. Do well to fulfill it.
Use these in public gatherings. Not everything a person assures you he will do is a promise. Some are pledges, and some are vows but they are all generalized as promised.
A word such as promise may sound trivial in public especially in a formal public setting when the discussion is on resources. This saying is also a good way to let the public know what an individual has promised while reminding said individual. Here’s a sentence example:
- Your pledge matters to me. It makes up two-thirds of what is to accomplish and that is a large portion. Do well to fulfill it.
13. I’m eagerly waiting to see you fulfill your promise
Show excitement. If you were promised something, you must not seem or behave like a beggar. You must have your respect knowing that no matter how important what they have promised you is, it doesn’t determine your life.
In asking for a birthday gift, you should show excitement not look pathetic. Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m eagerly waiting to see you fulfill your promise. I have hardly been able to sleep.
14. Would you kindly honor the commitment you made?
Use this at the appointed time. If they promise they made something that would be carried out right away at the moment you are asking them or reminding them then this is the best way.
It is akin to asking, can you please head straight for the task you are to carry out? It is a very straightforward and sensible way to handle things especially when you are trying not to offend the person you are speaking to.
Here’s a sentence example:
- Would you kindly honor the commitment you made? A lot of people are waiting and your input is the last bit remaining. Thank you.
15. I’m not trying to pressure you but this is a reminder of what you promised. I hope we still plan to do it.
Jog their memory. For something that stretches into weeks or months, a person might forget. Don’t forget, their life doesn’t revolve around you or the subject the promise is about so put out a friendly reminder.
Here’s a sentence example:
- I’m not trying to pressure you but this is a reminder of what you promised. I hope we still plan to do it. I just want to confirm.
Final words
Promises forgotten or intentionally broken erode trust. When someone does not follow through, it is natural to feel doubtful and resentful. However, appealing to their integrity rather than scolding can inspire promise-keeping without damaging the relationship.
This piece has provided 50 creative ways to request someone honor their word – from sincere to playful, but all focused on upholding agreements. With the right phrasing, you can remind people of their promises without guilt-tripping.
Keeping one’s word demonstrates strong character. By leading with wisdom and empathy, you can reinforce reliability to strengthen bonds for the future.