are bound to break

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are bound to break" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the inevitability of something failing or breaking under certain circumstances. Example: "Given the stress and pressure, these materials are bound to break eventually."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The compensation reforms are bound to break down.

The New Yorker

The wine glasses are bound to break – the memories should last far longer.

The Guardian - Opinion

With such violence in these characters' internal worlds, and such a maddening external impassiveness, those inner passions are bound to break out somehow, and it won't be pretty.

The Guardian - Books

Or in the words of Creedence Clearwater Revival, "Don't go round tonight, your bones are bound to break on a beach site.

The New York Times

"If you look good, you feel good," the authors stated cheerily, before going on to advise that: "For wives, it is a great help to have a very good relationship with your local garage as you are bound to break down when your dearly beloved is on a parliamentary trip to China and you may need rescuing".

The Guardian

If the latter, and there is a mysterious class of "supernatural" facts that are allegedly outside the realm of science, then the age-old wars of science and religion are bound to break out once more.The result of any attempt such as Mr Gould's to insulate religion from criticism is the evisceration of faith.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The odds suggest that Nash is bound to break through.

The New York Times - Sports

But Mr. Kerry is bound to break the 15percentthresholdld and win some delegates.

The New York Times

However, I think that eventually, it is bound to break up the European Union.

The Guardian - Business

Someone then was bound to break the highbrow ice around Rockwell.

The New Yorker

Ms. Nasimova said more fights were bound to break out underground.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are bound to break", ensure that the context clearly indicates the conditions or pressures that make the breaking or failure inevitable. This adds clarity and emphasizes the predictive aspect of the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "are bound to break" when the evidence for an eventual failure or break is weak or speculative. Overstating certainty can undermine your credibility and misrepresent the actual likelihood of the event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bound to break" functions as a modal construction expressing a high degree of certainty or inevitability about a future event, specifically the act of breaking. Ludwig examples show it describing physical objects, systems, and even abstract concepts reaching a breaking point.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are bound to break" is a modal verb phrase used to express a strong likelihood or inevitability of something breaking or failing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and appears in various contexts, from news and media to scientific discussions. While not extremely common, it holds a solid presence in professionally edited content. Its function is primarily predictive, often carrying a warning tone. Consider alternatives like "are certain to break" or "are sure to break" for subtle variations in emphasis. When employing "are bound to break", ensure your context is clear and your evidence is strong to effectively convey the impending outcome.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are certain to break

Replaces "bound" with "certain", emphasizing the sureness of the breaking.

are sure to break

Substitutes "bound" with "sure", conveying a strong expectation of breaking.

are destined to break

Uses "destined" instead of "bound", suggesting a predetermined outcome of breaking.

will inevitably break

Adds the adverb "inevitably" to highlight the unavoidable nature of the breaking.

are going to break

Employs a more informal and direct way to express the future breaking.

will definitely break

Replaces "bound" with "definitely", stressing the certainty of the event.

are liable to break

Highlights the probability and potential consequences or responsibility associated with the breaking.

are slated to break

Replaces "bound" with "slated", implying a planned or scheduled breaking.

are predisposed to break

Emphasizes an inherent tendency or vulnerability toward breaking.

are on track to break

Suggests progress toward breaking, like an object being tested to its breaking point.

FAQs

How can I use "are bound to break" in a sentence?

You can use "are bound to break" to indicate something is very likely to fail or break under certain conditions. For example, "These old pipes are bound to break during the winter freeze."

What phrases are similar to "are bound to break"?

Alternatives include "are certain to break", "are sure to break", or "are destined to break". Each carries a slightly different nuance but conveys a similar sense of inevitability.

Is it better to say "are likely to break" or "are bound to break"?

"Are likely to break" suggests a high probability but not certainty. "Are bound to break" implies a stronger inevitability. The choice depends on the degree of certainty you wish to convey.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "are bound to break"?

It's best used when there are clear, pre-existing conditions or stresses that make a failure or break highly probable. This can include physical stresses, logical flaws, or systemic pressures that lead to an inevitable outcome.