bound to meet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to meet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong likelihood or inevitability of encountering someone or something. Example: "Given our similar schedules, we are bound to meet at the conference next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

You're bound to meet them".

The New Yorker

"On the street you're bound to meet other social outlaws.

The New Yorker

Anyone who did deserved whatever suffering he was bound to meet.

The New Yorker

The UK is not legally bound to meet the heat target, which is advisory.

The Guardian

Signatories to the pact are legally bound to meet their emissions targets, or face financial penalties.

MIT Technology Review

"We were bound to meet at some point," Ms. Lucas said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"MacAskill has been caught out misleading parliament over his claim he was duty-bound to meet Megrahi in person," Gray added.

The Guardian

One of the primary goals is to allow people who have been bound to wheelchairs to meet the world "eye-to-eye" again.

Forbes

WITH our allegiances to cow butter, oils and lard, a new butter is bound to be met with suspicion.

The New York Times - Food

Love Productions, heavily criticised for making Benefits Street, seemed more even handed this time round, but the project was bound to be met with suspicion and anger.

The Guardian - Opinion

The BBC's Sarah Rainsford, in Madrid, said that implementing the changes is likely to be a complex process for Spanish authorities - and one bound to be met with stiff resistance from those who just voted for independence.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound to meet" to express a strong sense of likelihood or inevitability, particularly when the circumstances suggest a high probability of encountering someone or something. For example, "Living in a small town, you're bound to meet everyone eventually."

Common error

Avoid using "bound to meet" when you mean a possibility. The phrase implies a high degree of certainty, not just a chance encounter. Use "might meet" or "could meet" for possibilities.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to meet" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a high probability or inevitability of a future event, specifically an encounter. It suggests that based on the current circumstances, the meeting is very likely to occur. This is supported by examples provided by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bound to meet" is a common and grammatically correct modal verb phrase used to express a strong likelihood or inevitability of encountering someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register suitable for various communicative situations. While "destined to meet" implies a sense of fate, "bound to meet" emphasizes a high probability based on circumstances. Alternatives include "certain to encounter", "sure to meet", and "likely to encounter", offering nuanced ways to convey similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certain to encounter

Emphasizes certainty in the future encounter.

sure to meet

Expresses a confident expectation of meeting.

destined to meet

Suggests that the meeting is predetermined or inevitable.

likely to encounter

Indicates a high probability of meeting.

guaranteed to meet

Implies a very strong assurance of meeting.

fated to meet

Similar to destined, implies that the meeting is predetermined by fate.

poised to meet

Indicates that the condition is set for a meeting to occur.

on track to meet

Suggests progress toward a meeting, often within a planned schedule.

scheduled to meet

Indicates that the meeting is already arranged and is expected to happen.

slated to meet

A more formal synonym of "scheduled to meet".

FAQs

What does it mean to be "bound to meet" someone?

To be "bound to meet" someone means that it is very likely or inevitable that you will encounter them. It suggests a strong probability due to circumstances or fate.

What can I say instead of "bound to meet"?

You can use alternatives like "certain to encounter", "sure to meet", or "likely to encounter" depending on the context.

Is "bound to meet" formal or informal?

The phrase "bound to meet" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

How is "destined to meet" different from "bound to meet"?

"Destined to meet" implies a sense of fate or predetermination, while "bound to meet" suggests a high probability due to circumstances. The former carries a stronger connotation of inevitability than the latter.