I swear by the god I didn't do it.

[tufguy]

1) I swear by the god I didn't do it.

2) I swear to the god I didn't do it.

Are these sentences correct? What is the difference between "swear by" and "swear to"?

 

[teechar]

[STRIKE]1) I swear by the god I didn't do it.[/STRIKE]

2) I swear to [STRIKE]the god[/STRIKE] God, I didn't do it.

What is the difference between "swear by" and "swear to"?

You swear to God/someone to assure someone of something.
I swear to you that I did not steal that money.

You swear by something dear/of value to say/assert something.
I swear by my mother's grave that I'm telling the truth.

 

[emsr2d2]

I swear by my mother's grave that I'm telling the truth.

In BrE, that would be "I swear on​ my mother's grave ..."

However, the opening of the oath read out in the witness box in court is "I swear by almighty God that I will tell the truth, ..."

 

[andrewg927]

I would use either by God or to God with no difference in meaning.

 

[teechar]

Another use of "swear by" is, e.g.,

He's been using that arthritis cream for years. He swears by it.

That means he has full confidence in it.

 

[jutfrank]

to swear by God has the sense of in the presence of God as my witness.

 

[tufguy]

Another use of "swear by" is, e.g.,

He's been using that arthritis cream for years. He swears by it.

That means he has full confidence in it.

Okay so we can say "I have been doing it for years. I swear by it." Or "I do it everyday I swear by it." Or "She is my friend. I swear by it."

 

[GoesStation]

You can't do something everyday. Do you remember how to express the idea correctly? Can you write a sentence on a different subject that uses everyday right?

 

[andrewg927]

Tufguy, it should be every day.

 

[GoesStation]

I purposely didn't tell tufguy that, Andrew. Students tend to remember better if they have to stretch a little to answer a question.

 

[andrewg927]

I have the feeling that tufguy might be confused by what you said.

 

[andrewg927]

When GS wrote "you can't do something everyday", I felt that could be confusing especially if tufguy doesn't fully know in what way everyday and every day are different.

 

[GoesStation]

He had it explained to him quite recently.

 

[tufguy]

I do it every day. I swear by it.

 

[tufguy]

I have the feeling that tufguy might be confused by what you said.

No.

 

[tufguy]

He had it explained to him quite recently.

Yes, but sometimes I get confused whether I have to write "everyday" or "every day". It didn't come to my mind. It is my mistake. I apologise for that.