are bound to

USAGE SUMMARY

"are bound to" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It implies that one thing is inevitable or certain to happen as a result of another thing. For example, "With the rising cost of living, taxes are bound to increase."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are bound to.

The New York Times - Arts

More such incidents are bound to follow.

The Economist

We are bound to grow up".

The New Yorker

The commercial pressures are bound to grow.

The Economist

Some hardware incompatibilities are bound to exist.

The Economist

These things are bound to rub.

Independent

You are bound to pose more.

Independent

But people are bound to want more.

The Economist

They are bound to get worse.

The Economist

Hangovers are bound to follow.

The Guardian - Sport

are bound to be futile.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are bound to" when you want to express a high degree of certainty or inevitability about a future event. It implies a strong cause-and-effect relationship or a natural consequence.

Common error

While "are bound to" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Over-reliance can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms like "will inevitably" or "are certain to" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bound to" functions as a modal construction expressing a high degree of certainty or inevitability. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase is used to indicate that a particular outcome is very likely to occur due to specific circumstances or conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are bound to" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of certainty or inevitability about future events. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and frequently used across a variety of contexts, particularly in news media and general writing. While its usage is widespread, it's important to avoid overuse in formal writing and to consider synonyms for stylistic variation. Ludwig's analysis highlights that "are bound to" functions as a modal construction, serving to make predictions or express firm expectations. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse communication styles.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are certain to

Emphasizes certainty but uses a slightly different tone; "certain" focuses more on sureness than predetermination.

are sure to

Indicates a high probability or expectation; less forceful than "bound".

are destined to

Suggests a predetermined outcome, often with a sense of fate or higher power.

are guaranteed to

Implies a promise or assurance that something will happen.

will inevitably

Highlights the unavoidable nature of an event or outcome.

must necessarily

Indicates a logical necessity; the outcome is required by certain conditions.

are compelled to

Suggests an external force or internal drive causing the action; indicates less freedom.

are required to

Emphasizes a rule, law, or requirement to do something.

are obligated to

Highlights a sense of duty or moral imperative.

are slated to

Suggests that something is scheduled or planned, implying a future event.

FAQs

How to use "are bound to" in a sentence?

Use "are bound to" to indicate that something is very likely or certain to happen. For example, "If you study hard, you "are bound to" succeed".

What can I say instead of "are bound to"?

You can use alternatives like "are certain to", "are sure to", or "are destined to" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "are bound to" or "are bounded to"?

"Are bound to" is the correct phrase when expressing inevitability or certainty. "Are bounded to" is grammatically incorrect in this context. The word "bounded" refers to limits or boundaries, which is different from the meaning of "bound" in this phrase.

What's the difference between "are bound to" and "are likely to"?

"Are bound to" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "are likely to". While both indicate a probable outcome, "are bound to" implies that the outcome is almost guaranteed, whereas "are likely to" simply suggests a good chance of it happening.