be bound to a contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be bound to a contract" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation where a person or entity has agreed to the terms of a contract and is legally obligated to fulfill its requirements. For example, "The company was bound to a contract that required them to deliver the goods within 3 days."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Judges seek to establish each side's intent to be bound to a contract by examining the concreteness of deal terms and the extent to which important issues remain unresolved.

Harvard University

"The notion is that minors can't be bound to a contract.

Huffington Post

Jared Leto responded to some of the claims in the suit stating "under California law, where we live and signed our deal, one cannot be bound to a contract for more than seven years".

Wikipedia

Thirty Seconds to Mars responded to the suit by stating that under California law, where the group is based and had originally signed its deal (which Virgin had entered into with the by-then-defunct Immortal Records), one cannot be bound to a contract for more than seven years.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

If they don't commit to one religious label it's because they haven't found one that satisfies all their spiritual needs and they don't want to be bound to a lifetime contract when they might reap greater rewards through free agency.

Huffington Post

Summer news stories reported about teens and others who had created innovative ways to unlock the iPhone so users wouldn't be bound to an exclusive contract with AT&T.

TechCrunch

If Kevin and Jane both have notes indicating the same understanding of the modified terms and an "intent to be bound" to the contract, a court might decide that the faxed edits merely formalized a contract that already had been formed.

Harvard University

More important, she argued that because her deal with the labels was signed when she was a minor, laws in both New York and California stipulated that she could not be bound to the contract after a period of seven years.

Los Angeles Times

If this information is filled in later, you may still be bound to the contract.

WikiHow

Similarly, minors even if they misrepresent their age cannot be bound to contracts they sign; these are said to be voidable but not void.

Britannica

If the Yankees tender a contract to Wang, they will be bound to pay him at least $4 million.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be bound to a contract", ensure that all parties involved understand and agree to the contract's terms to avoid disputes. Clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid assuming someone is "bound to a contract" without verifying the existence of a valid, signed agreement. Oral agreements, for example, may not always be legally binding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be bound to a contract" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating a legal or formal obligation. It signifies that an individual or entity is legally required to adhere to the terms and conditions outlined in a contractual agreement. Ludwig AI also confirms it is a correct phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be bound to a contract" is a grammatically correct and legally significant expression used to indicate a formal, legally enforceable obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and appropriateness in written English. Its usage is more frequent in legal and business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that all parties understand the terms of the contract to prevent potential disputes. Alternative phrases, such as "be obligated under a contract", provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. The register is generally neutral, making it suitable for various formal discussions. The phrase is classified as rare due to a limited number of examples found, however, its relevance in legal and business settings remains significant.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be obligated under a contract

Focuses on the obligation arising from the contract.

be subject to the terms of a contract

Highlights the subjection to specific terms.

be legally committed to a contract

Emphasizes the legal nature of the commitment.

be held to the stipulations of a contract

Highlights strict adherence to every single stipulation.

be duty-bound by a contract

Suggests a strong sense of duty derived from the contract.

be answerable under a contract

Focuses on the responsibility and accountability aspect.

be in contractual agreement

Indicates the existence of a binding agreement.

be under contractual obligation

Similar to "be obligated", emphasizing contractual origin.

be tied to a contractual agreement

Highlights the restrictive nature of the commitment.

be required to fulfill a contract

Focuses on the action of fulfilling the contract.

FAQs

How can I determine if I "be bound to a contract"?

To determine if you "be bound to a contract", check if there's a written agreement you've signed, ensure all essential elements of a contract are present (offer, acceptance, consideration), and confirm that you had the legal capacity to enter the contract (e.g., you were not a minor).

What happens if I breach a contract that I "be bound to a contract"?

If you breach a contract you "be bound to a contract", you may face legal consequences such as monetary damages, specific performance (being required to fulfill your contractual obligations), or other remedies available to the non-breaching party.

What are some alternatives to "be bound to a contract"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be obligated under a contract", "be subject to the terms of a contract", or "be legally committed to a contract". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Can a minor "be bound to a contract"?

Generally, minors cannot "be bound to a contract". Contracts entered into by minors are often voidable, meaning the minor can choose to disaffirm the contract. However, there are exceptions, such as contracts for necessities like food, clothing, or shelter.