bound to suffer

USAGE SUMMARY

"bound to suffer" is correct and usable in written English.
It conveys the idea that something unpleasant is likely to happen, and it can be used in many different contexts. For example, "Those living in poverty are bound to suffer the most during an economic recession."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

If it perishes in that market, consumers know they are bound to suffer.

The New York Times

Once people became afraid to consume, the economy was bound to suffer.

The New Yorker

Moyes, floundering away on the touchline below, is bound to suffer in comparison.

The Guardian - Sport

Proulx knew all along that Quoyle was still bound to suffer?

The Guardian - Books

If the clubs start to disappear then Berlin's economy is bound to suffer.

The Guardian - Music

Like all those with serious long-term illnesses, cancer patients are bound to suffer disproportionately.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This is bound to hurt.

The Guardian

He was bound to lose.  .

Vice

Francia Media proved to be the least stable of the kingdoms, and the imperial institutions bound to it suffered as a result.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Schopenhauer's metaphysics and philosophy of nature led him to the doctrine of pessimism: the view that sentient beings, with few exceptions, are bound to strive and suffer greatly, all without any ultimate purpose or justification and thus life is not really worth living.

SEP

Where political meddling in the judiciary increases, controversy is bound to follow, and justice itself likely to suffer.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bound to suffer" to express an expectation of negative consequences based on current conditions or past experiences. For example, "Without proper maintenance, the equipment is "bound to suffer" damage."

Common error

Avoid using "bound to suffer" when the negative outcome is not reasonably certain or predictable. It's inaccurate to say "He is "bound to suffer" a loss" simply because he's taking a risk; the outcome isn't guaranteed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bound to suffer" functions as a predictive expression, indicating a high probability or certainty of experiencing negative consequences or hardship. As indicated by Ludwig, its usage is both grammatically correct and widespread.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bound to suffer" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a high degree of certainty regarding negative consequences. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used and understood. Predominantly found in news and media, its predictive function serves to forewarn or highlight inevitable outcomes. While versatile, it's crucial to ensure that the context warrants such a strong assertion of inevitability, as overusing it in uncertain situations can dilute its impact. Knowing alternatives like "destined to endure hardship" can broaden your expressive toolkit. The phrase is indeed a powerful tool for conveying a sense of impending adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

destined to endure hardship

Emphasizes the inevitability and severity of the suffering.

fated to experience pain

Highlights the predetermined nature of the suffering.

certain to face adversity

Focuses on the unavoidable challenges and difficulties.

sure to encounter difficulties

Highlights unavoidable challenges and obstacles

inevitably going to struggle

Highlights unavoidable struggles and challenges

doomed to undergo torment

Highlights unavoidably sinister and intense suffering

likely to meet with misfortune

Focuses on the probability of unfortunate events occurring.

predestined to have problems

Stresses the predetermined nature of the problems.

will undoubtedly have setbacks

Highlights the certainty of experiencing temporary failures.

cannot avoid going through anguish

Highlights the idea of unavoidable suffering and emotional distress.

FAQs

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

Use "bound to suffer" to express that someone or something will likely experience negative consequences. For instance, "A business with poor management is "bound to suffer" losses."

What phrases are similar to "bound to suffer"?

Alternatives include "destined to endure hardship", "fated to experience pain", or "certain to face adversity".

Is it correct to say "bound to suffering" instead of "bound to suffer"?

No, "bound to suffer" is the correct and commonly used form. "Suffering" is a noun, while "suffer" is a verb, which is needed after "to".

What's the difference between "likely to suffer" and "bound to suffer"?

"Likely to suffer" implies a high probability of experiencing something negative, while "bound to suffer" suggests a greater degree of certainty or inevitability.