bind

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "bind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb that means "to tie together" or "to fasten securely." For example, "This rope will bind the bundle of sticks together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The frustrating bind of industry-minded British pop summed up in a single moment.

The Guardian - Music

This is because, in a more mobile context, the ties that bind take time to settle.

The Guardian

In 1970, together with the young Turks of the civil rights movement Austin Currie and Ivan Cooper, and veteran socialist activists Paddy Devlin and Gerry Fitt, he helped found the Social Democratic and Labour party, to bind together the various strands of non-militant nationalism in the six counties.

The Guardian

It will continue to bind us together, through events of national significance … It will also educate, inform and entertain us … And it will remain a big beast of the economy, investing in home-grown talent and exporting to the world.

The Guardian

These newer methods brought the resolution of light microscopes down to around 20nm, using fluorescent 'marker' molecules that bind to cellular proteins of interest and reveal their location, but these machines are expensive and operating them requires a lot of technical expertise.

The Guardian

That's the bind the government is in.

The Guardian

The deputy Labor leader, Tanya Plibersek, is leading the push to bind all MPs to voting in favour of gay marriage legislation, by removing the conscience vote option.

The Guardian

Carluccio, Tasca Lanza and the Silver Spoon all add egg to their risotto bases to bind it (which, in Carluccio's case, makes his filling almost wet), but if you've cooked your rice right, and it's cool enough, it shouldn't need it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The work is at very early stages – Google currently hasn't discovered how many nanoparticles would be required to make the system effective and has to develop coatings for the particles that help them bind to cells to detect issues.

The Guardian - Tech

"The ties that bind these countries – the ties so evidence here in Liverpool – the have never depended on 650 Mps at Westminster; they are based instead of culture and history; trade and commerce; family and friendship.

The Guardian

If ministers can manage to agree in Doha, it will clear the way for the substantive negotiations to begin next year on a proposed new global treaty on climate, which would bind both developed and developing countries into cutting their emissions, and which would be signed in 2015 and come into effect in 2020.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bind" in a legal or contractual context, ensure that the obligations and responsibilities are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Be mindful of using the correct tense of "bind" (bind, bound, binding). Using the incorrect tense can alter the meaning of your sentence or make it grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "bind" is as a verb, indicating an action of tying, fastening, obligating, or connecting. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, aligning with its recognized grammatical role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bind" is a versatile verb with meanings ranging from physical ties to legal obligations. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in a wide array of contexts. It's frequently found in news, business, and scientific domains. When writing, pay attention to tense consistency and be precise about whether you intend a physical connection or an abstract obligation. For alternatives, consider words like "tie", "obligate", or "restrict" to best convey your intended meaning. The examples provided by Ludwig demonstrate how "bind" is used effectively in real-world scenarios, ensuring clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tie

Focuses on the physical act of fastening or connecting things together.

fasten

Implies a secure attachment, often using physical means.

bond

Implies a close relationship or connection.

obligate

Emphasizes the creation of a legal or moral duty to do something.

secure

Emphasizes the act of making something safe and firmly fixed.

restrict

Highlights the limitation or control imposed on someone or something.

attach

Suggests joining something to something else.

connect

Stresses the establishment of a link or relationship.

constrain

Highlights the act of forcibly restricting or limiting.

hold together

Focuses on maintaining unity or cohesion.

FAQs

How can I use "bind" in a sentence?

You can use "bind" to describe physically tying something, like "I need to bind these books together". It can also be used to describe a legal or moral obligation, such as "The contract will bind you to these terms".

What is a synonym for "bind" when referring to an obligation?

When "bind" refers to an obligation, you can use synonyms like "obligate", "compel", or "require".

Is it correct to say "binded" instead of "bound"?

No, "binded" is not the correct past tense or past participle of "bind". The correct forms are "bound" for both past tense and past participle.

What is the difference between "bind" and "bond"?

"Bind" typically refers to a physical act of tying or a legal/moral obligation, while "bond" often refers to a close relationship or connection, as in "the bonds of friendship". Although they can be related, their primary meanings differ.