bound to harm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to harm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is certain to cause damage or negative consequences. Example: "If we continue to ignore the warning signs, we are bound to harm the environment irreparably."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

It never was easy to tell, she supposed, if your parenting was mostly beneficial or bound to harm.

The New Yorker

But worrying and melancholy are bound to harm you, and they will not produce a means of solving the problem.

The New York Times

If the "right nation" is part of the West fraying a bit, that is bound to harm globalization to some extent.

University of California, Berkeley

Until that happens, it seems like pesticide contamination is the whales' best defence though it's also bound to harm the whales.

The Guardian

But Senator Daniel K. Inouye, the Hawaii Democrat who is chairman of the Appropriations Committee, said the continued cutting was bound to harm federal agencies.

The New York Times

Its polluted air is bound to harm competitors and is already affecting the outcome of events in ways that are unfair.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

But the illegal strike action that swept the prison system yesterday was bound to do harm - to prisoners, their families, to trust between managers and staff.

The Guardian - Opinion

For both red and blue revolutionaries, any Brexit harm – bound to hurt the vulnerable – is only collateral damage in a greater cause.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Montana law, approved by 70 percent of voters, is bound to inflict harm even though it requires notification, not parental permission, and does not cover adolescents 16 and older, who are more likely to face an unintended pregnancy.

The New York Times

But I would argue that a culture of secrecy is bound to end up harming the institution itself, especially when it's firmly under the control of one leader, as Amazon is under Jeff Bezos.

The New Yorker

A defendant is bound to foresee psychic harm only when such harm reasonably could be expected to befall the ordinarily sensitive person.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bound to harm", ensure the subject clearly indicates what is causing the harm and the object specifies what will be affected. This clarity enhances the sentence's impact and understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "bound to harm" when the outcome is only a possibility, not a strong likelihood. Overstating the certainty can weaken your argument if the harm doesn't materialize.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to harm" functions as a predicative adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, asserting a high probability of causing damage or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound to harm" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey a strong likelihood of negative consequences. While not exceedingly common, it finds its place in diverse contexts, from news reporting to academic discussions. Ludwig AI's analysis shows a neutral register, making it suitable for both formal and informal communication. When a writer seeks to warn or emphasize the inevitable damage from certain actions, "bound to harm" serves as a clear and impactful choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to damage

Replaces "bound to" with "certain to", emphasizing inevitability with slightly stronger force.

destined to hurt

Uses "destined" instead of "bound", suggesting a predetermined outcome specifically causing emotional or physical pain.

sure to injure

Replaces "harm" with "injure", focusing on physical damage or impairment.

guaranteed to impair

Uses "guaranteed" for certainty and "impair" for reducing effectiveness or function.

likely to damage

Substitutes "bound to" with "likely to", reducing the sense of certainty but retaining the negative consequence.

predisposed to hurt

Suggests an inherent tendency towards causing pain or distress, moving away from pure certainty.

liable to injure

Emphasizes a legal or probabilistic risk of causing harm.

fated to impair

Implies a destiny or fate leading to impairment or weakening.

set to damage

Suggests an arrangement or plan that will cause harm.

scheduled to injure

Conveys an impending action that will result in injury or harm.

FAQs

What does "bound to harm" mean?

"Bound to harm" means something is very likely or certain to cause damage, injury, or negative consequences. It suggests a high probability of a detrimental outcome.

How can I use "bound to harm" in a sentence?

You can use "bound to harm" to describe actions or situations expected to have negative effects. For example, "Continuing to pollute the river is "bound to harm" the ecosystem."

What are some alternatives to "bound to harm"?

Alternatives include "certain to damage", "likely to injure", or "destined to hurt", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "bound to harm" or "likely to harm"?

"Bound to harm" implies a stronger certainty than "likely to harm". Choose "bound to harm" when the negative outcome is virtually guaranteed; use "likely to harm" when there's a high probability but not absolute certainty.