bound by duty

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound by duty" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a sense of obligation or responsibility to fulfill a commitment or task. Example: "As a soldier, he felt bound by duty to protect his country, no matter the cost."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Because we are bound by duty.

The New York Times - Books

His reporting has led him to this answer: "Because we are bound by duty.

The New York Times - Books

When in power they liked to think of themselves as Roman senators, bound by duty and friendship.

The Economist

His interests were wide reaching and diverse yet he dedicated himself 100 percent to everything he did and was bound by duty and by always doing what was right".

The New York Times

He was committed to non-violence, and taught that people are bound by duty to resist all untruthful laws.

Huffington Post

As your father, I am bound by duty and love to share this truth, but it is not the only truth you must know.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Both Islington council and the charity Relate were bound by duties not to discriminate against their clients and therefore could not support staff who refused to work with homosexual couples, the court said.

The Guardian

However, citizens are not bound by duties of public reason when engaged in other activities, for example when they worship in church, perform on stage, pursue scientific research, send letters to the editor, or talk politics around the dinner table.

SEP

Whether they like Trump or not, and some surely don't, scores of the Republicans chosen to cast votes in the state-capital meetings that formally choose the US president told AP they feel bound by history, duty, party loyalty or the law to rubber-stamp their state's results and hand him the keys to the White House.

The Guardian

Even British wrestlers know that, which is why whenever any of them ever go and ply their trade in America, they're bound by unspoken duty to immediately change their name to Duke Spiffington and prance around in a monocle to Land of Hope and Glory.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The principle says that the contributors to a cooperative scheme is bound by a duty of fairness.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound by duty" to convey a strong sense of moral or legal obligation, particularly in contexts where adherence to principles is paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "bound by duty" in casual conversation or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or stiff. Opt for simpler expressions like "responsible for" or "obliged to" in less serious settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound by duty" functions as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun, describing a state of being obligated or compelled by a sense of responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

16%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bound by duty" is a grammatically correct expression signifying a strong sense of obligation or responsibility. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage in English writing. While not extremely common, it appears frequently in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts. The phrase is best used in formal or neutral settings to convey a serious commitment to ethical or legal principles. Consider alternatives like "obligated by duty" or "constrained by duty" for nuanced meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obligated by duty

Replaces "bound" with "obligated", emphasizing the feeling of being required to do something.

constrained by duty

Substitutes "bound" with "constrained", highlighting the restrictive aspect of duty.

compelled by duty

Replaces "bound" with "compelled", suggesting a stronger, more forceful obligation.

driven by duty

Emphasizes the motivational aspect of duty, where someone is pushed to act because of their responsibility.

guided by duty

Focuses on duty as a directional force, influencing decisions and actions.

governed by duty

Highlights how duty acts as a rule that determines behavior and is a very formal alternative.

tied by obligation

Swaps "duty" for the more general term "obligation", emphasizing the binding nature of the commitment.

required by duty

Focuses on the mandatory aspect, suggesting that duty imposes a requirement.

ensnared by responsibility

Substitutes both "bound" and "duty" to present a more metaphorical and negative view, as if responsibility is a trap.

fettered by honor

Changes "duty" to "honor", adding a moral and ethical dimension to the constraint.

FAQs

What does "bound by duty" mean?

The phrase "bound by duty" signifies being obligated or constrained by a sense of moral, ethical, or legal responsibility to fulfill a commitment or task.

How can I use "bound by duty" in a sentence?

You can use "bound by duty" to describe someone's strong sense of obligation, as in "As a soldier, he felt "bound by duty" to protect his country, no matter the cost".

What are some alternatives to "bound by duty"?

You can use alternatives like "obligated by duty", "constrained by duty", or "compelled by duty" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "bound by duty" formal or informal?

"Bound by duty" leans towards the more formal side. In informal contexts, consider using phrases like "responsible for" or "obliged to" instead.