are bound to encounter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are bound to encounter" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is certain to happen or that someone will inevitably face a particular situation or challenge. Example: "In the course of our research, we are bound to encounter various obstacles that will test our resolve."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

But any such moves are bound to encounter fierce resistance from Corbyn's opponents.

The Guardian - Opinion

Follow baseball long enough, and you are bound to encounter moments of revelation.

The Washington Post

Many are placed in the shops where children are bound to encounter them: around the tills, at grasping height.

The Guardian - Opinion

If your work involves creative thinking, you are bound to encounter times like this — times you feel stuck.

Harvard Business Review

While city officials have yet to choose which new toilets to bring to New York, they are bound to encounter some of the same issues of toilet etiquette.

The New York Times

If you take a tour of some of New York's most notable cultural and medical complexes, you are bound to encounter — and re-encounter — one prominent family name.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

If you work with anyone long enough you're bound to encounter a difference of opinion.

Harvard Business Review

And yet any group that unleashes a tool that could reconfigure an entire species is bound to encounter serious opposition.

The New Yorker

In both your personal life and your work life, you're bound to encounter people who take advantage of you, and these painful experiences can make you cynical.

Harvard Business Review

Mr Wolfowitz is bound to encounter bureaucratic nitpicking and opposition, particularly from those shareholders, whether China or even France, that are none too bothered about the odd bribe.

The Economist

Networking: Because you're bound to encounter situations where connecting wirelessly with Wi-Fi simply isn't possible, check for an Ethernet port.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are bound to encounter" when you want to emphasize the inevitability of a specific situation or challenge. It's particularly useful when predicting common experiences or outcomes within a given context.

Common error

Be mindful of overuse. While it signifies inevitability, reserve this phrase for genuinely unavoidable situations. Don't use it for scenarios where proactive measures could easily prevent the "encounter". Overusing the expression could suggest a passive or fatalistic outlook.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are bound to encounter" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a high degree of certainty or inevitability regarding a future event. It indicates that facing a particular situation or challenge is virtually unavoidable. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it's used to predict common experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are bound to encounter" is a useful modal verb phrase that communicates a high level of certainty about future events or challenges. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts, especially in news and media and scientific publications. While alternatives like "are likely to encounter" offer similar meanings, "are bound to encounter" emphasizes a stronger sense of inevitability. To make the most of this phrase, use it to prepare individuals for common or unavoidable situations while avoiding overuse in preventable scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are certain to encounter

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

will inevitably encounter

Substitutes "are bound to" with "will inevitably", highlighting the unavoidable nature of the encounter.

are destined to encounter

Uses "destined" instead of "bound", suggesting a predetermined or fated encounter.

are sure to encounter

Replaces "bound" with "sure", conveying confidence in the encounter's occurrence.

are guaranteed to encounter

Replaces "bound" with "guaranteed", underlining the certainty of the encounter.

will definitely encounter

Similar to "inevitably", reinforcing the certainty of the future encounter.

are likely to encounter

Uses "likely" instead of "bound", indicating a high probability rather than certainty.

are fated to encounter

Similar to "destined", but with a stronger emphasis on fate or destiny.

can expect to encounter

Focuses on anticipation and expectation of the encounter.

are poised to encounter

Implies readiness and anticipation of the encounter, suggesting an imminent event.

FAQs

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

You can use "are bound to encounter" to express that someone will inevitably face a particular situation. For example: "Students studying abroad "are bound to encounter" cultural differences."

What does "are bound to encounter" mean?

The phrase "are bound to encounter" means that something is very likely or certain to happen or that someone will inevitably face a specific situation or challenge.

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

You can use alternatives like "are certain to encounter", "will inevitably encounter", or "are likely to encounter" depending on the context.

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

Both phrases are correct, but "are bound to encounter" suggests a higher degree of certainty than "are likely to encounter". The best choice depends on how confident you are about the event occurring.