bound to shoulder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bound to shoulder" is not correct in standard written English.
It seems to be a misinterpretation or a mix-up of phrases. An example could be: "He is bound to shoulder the responsibilities of the project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

It is understood that its closure could potentially land taxpayers with a bill for up to £600 million because within a contract signed in 2009, the Ministry of Defence guaranteed BAE work for the next 15 years and is bound to shoulder the expense of any yard closures.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And a leather tourniquet closes around your throat, and your legs – bound to your shoulders with a complex system of pulleys and chains – start to stiffen and cramp, and the blood pools in your genitals and in your brain, and you shudder to one final, magnificent orgasm you and croak: I love you.

Vice

With the world glowing so brightly on screen in these apps, there's bound to be over-the-shoulder peeking as well.

The New York Times - Books

Measurement variations in patients with shoulder capsulitis are bound to occur due to pain, fear of pain, stiffness, fatigue and measurement error at any one given time point [ 1].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

To further incriminate political torturers, Celine photographs her naked daughter cruelly bound to a tree: "She looks over her shoulder... almost to the camera.

The New York Times - Books

You can't walk around with a chip on your shoulder when you're bound to know everyone.

Vice

Among the womenswear, the cocktail dresses stand out and are bound to be a bestseller, especially the one-shoulder versions in black and yellow cotton.

Independent

Premonitory urges can be bound to small localised areas, with 'hot spots' in the shoulder girdle, hands, feet and front of the thighs.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

The rock out need not be bound to the upper body (e.g., head, arms, & shoulders).

WikiHow

It is with no chip on my shoulder that I add that "Canaletto and his Rivals" is bound to be highly praised and much visited.

The Economist

He was bound to the stretcher with heavy tape that was tightly wound around his chest, upper arms, shoulders, ankles and the stretcher itself.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing obligation, use standard phrases like "obliged to bear" or "required to take on" instead of the non-idiomatic "bound to shoulder".

Common error

Avoid combining "bound to" with verbs of responsibility in a non-standard way. "Bound to" generally precedes verbs indicating a likely outcome or destination, not actions like "shoulder".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is an attempt to express obligation or inevitability, where "bound to" suggests certainty and "shoulder" implies bearing a responsibility. However, Ludwig AI indicates this combination is non-standard. More common phrases would be more appropriate.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bound to shoulder" is not a standard English expression. While the individual components are common, their combination is considered incorrect. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's better to use alternative phrases like "obliged to bear" or "required to take on" to convey the intended meaning of obligation or responsibility. Using standard phrasing ensures clarity and avoids confusion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

duty-bound to accept

Stresses a moral or ethical imperative to take on a responsibility.

obliged to bear

Focuses on a formal or legal obligation to handle something.

required to take on

Emphasizes a mandatory aspect of accepting a task or responsibility.

liable to handle

Points to a legal or practical accountability for dealing with something.

certain to assume

Indicates a high probability or inevitability of taking on a responsibility.

sure to undertake

Suggests confidence and a likely commitment to begin a task.

expected to manage

Highlights anticipation or a formal expectation of handling a task.

destined to carry

Highlights a fate-driven or predetermined need to handle something.

going to bear

Indicates a future action of carrying or handling something.

fated to endure

Implies a predetermined or unavoidable experience of bearing a burden.

FAQs

What does "bound to" usually mean?

Typically, "bound to" indicates a high probability or certainty about a future event, similar to "certain to" or "sure to."

What's a more appropriate way to describe being obligated to handle something?

You can use phrases like "obliged to bear", "required to take on", or "responsible for" depending on the specific context.

Is "bound to shoulder" ever correct?

While the individual words are correct, their combination is non-idiomatic. A more natural phrasing might be "bound to shoulder the responsibilities," adding clarity.

How can I improve my understanding of correct English phrasing?

Pay attention to how native speakers and reputable sources use phrases. Platforms like Ludwig offer examples in context from reliable sources.