bound to inflict

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to inflict" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is certain to cause harm or damage. Example: "The storm is bound to inflict significant damage on the coastal areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A result so inimical to both majority rule and individual civic equality was bound to inflict damage on the fabric of comity.

The New Yorker

They should be as entertaining as the crop of new mother-in-law jokes that someone is bound to inflict on an unsuspecting world.

The New York Times

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

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

They are bound to.

The New York Times - Arts

It is bound to retaliate.

The Economist

It is bound to fail.

The Economist

Conflict is bound to ensue.

The New Yorker

This was bound to happen.

The New York Times

Something is bound to happen.

The New York Times

It's bound to happen.

The New York Times

This is bound to hurt.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bound to inflict", ensure the context clearly indicates the certainty or high probability of the negative outcome. For instance, "Ignoring safety protocols is "bound to inflict" injuries."

Common error

Avoid using "bound to inflict" when the outcome is not highly probable. Using it for uncertain situations weakens the impact of the phrase. Instead, opt for phrases like "likely to inflict" or "might inflict."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to inflict" functions as a predictor of negative outcomes. Ludwig AI shows that it connects a cause (often an action or situation) with a highly probable, undesirable effect. Grammatically, it acts as a modifier, indicating a strong likelihood of causation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bound to inflict" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating a high probability of causing harm or damage. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, with only 3 exact examples found, it appears across various contexts, primarily in news and media. When using this phrase, ensure the context supports the high degree of certainty it conveys. Alternatives like "certain to inflict" or "likely to inflict" may be more appropriate for situations with less certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to inflict

Emphasizes the certainty of causing something, similar to "bound to", but uses a more direct adjective.

sure to inflict

Indicates a high degree of confidence that something will cause a particular negative effect.

destined to inflict

Suggests a predetermined nature of causing harm or damage.

inevitably inflict

Highlights the unavoidable nature of causing something.

likely to inflict

Indicates a high probability of causing something, but with slightly less certainty than "bound to".

will inevitably inflict

Combines future tense with inevitability for emphasis.

poised to inflict

Suggests that something is in a position or state ready to cause harm.

about to inflict

Indicates immediacy, meaning that something is on the verge of causing harm.

set to inflict

Similar to 'poised to inflict', implying readiness and preparation to cause a negative outcome.

can't help but inflict

Expresses that it is impossible to avoid causing something, highlighting a lack of control.

FAQs

What does "bound to inflict" mean?

The phrase "bound to inflict" means that something is very likely or certain to cause (inflict) harm, damage, or some other negative consequence.

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

You can use "bound to inflict" to describe a situation where a particular action or event is highly likely to cause harm. For example, "Cutting funding to education is "bound to inflict" long-term damage to society."

What are some alternatives to "bound to inflict"?

Some alternatives include "certain to inflict", "sure to inflict", or "likely to inflict", depending on the degree of certainty you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "bound to inflict damage"?

Yes, "bound to inflict damage" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means that something is very likely to cause damage. For example, "The hurricane is "bound to inflict" damage to the coastline."