contractually bound to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "contractually bound to" is correct and can be used in written English.
It means that someone is legally obliged to do something as stated in a contract. Here are some examples: 1. The employee was contractually bound to work for the company for at least five years before seeking employment elsewhere. 2. The company was contractually bound to provide medical benefits to all its employees. 3. The parties involved in the merger were contractually bound to keep all information confidential until the deal was finalized. 4. The artist was contractually bound to finish the painting within six months. 5. The tenant was contractually bound to pay rent on time every month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

But the opera is contractually bound to occupy the hall, or guarantee occupancy, until 2014.

The New York Times - Arts

Both men were contractually bound to different promoters and cable television companies.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If the seven-year veteran does not make the opening-day roster, the Mets are contractually bound to release him.

The New York Times - Sports

He now disavows the 2011 theatrical version of "Margaret," which he was contractually bound to support when it was released.

The New Yorker

She was contractually bound to be admirable, not desirable: a well-maintained, globally available wave machine, summoned to voice platitudes from Sydney to Scunthorpe..

The New Yorker

Summerall and Madden were contractually bound to call those real-life strike games, but chose to play along with the charade in the film.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Asked about the book by a reporter at a White House press conference, he said he was contractually "honor bound" to remain mum until it hit the stores — thus demonstrating that Simon & Schuster had more clout with him than the president.

The New York Times

There's even reason to believe that Lewandowski is contractually bound not to speak ill of Trump on air or anywhere else.

The Guardian - Opinion

Farmers who plant these GMO seeds are then contractually bound not to save seed for future plantings, thereby making the farmers beholden to the corporation that owns the seed for their future harvests.

Huffington Post

The hotel operators will be contractually bound not to allow any Nazi-related activities on the site.

The New York Times

It's good that it happens, and it's necessary, but not every venue is sold on contemporary circus, nor is every venue in a position where it can give away its idle space – some are contractually bound only to sell it.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "contractually bound to", ensure the context clearly indicates the specific contractual agreement that creates the obligation. For example, state "The company is contractually bound to deliver the product by the agreed-upon date".

Common error

Avoid using "contractually bound to" without specifying what the obligation is. Instead of saying "They are contractually bound to something", clarify what they are bound to do (e.g. "They are contractually bound to maintain confidentiality").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "contractually bound to" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating that the subject is under a legal obligation to perform a specific action or fulfill a condition as outlined in a contract. Ludwig's examples show its use in various scenarios, from business agreements to employment terms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "contractually bound to" is a common phrase used to express a legal obligation arising from a contractual agreement. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media, scientific and formal business contexts, which indicates its formal and professional register. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact obligation, and avoid redundant expressions like "legally contractually bound to". Alternatives include phrases like "legally obligated to" or "under contractual obligation to".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

legally obligated to

Replaces "contractually bound" with a more generic term for legal obligation.

legally committed to

Replaces "contractually bound" with its legal synonym.

under contractual obligation to

Changes the structure to emphasize the 'obligation' aspect.

obliged by contract to

Inverts the structure, placing 'obliged' at the beginning.

required by agreement to

Uses 'agreement' instead of 'contract' for a slightly broader term.

committed by contract to

Emphasizes the commitment aspect of the contractual agreement.

bound by the terms of the contract to

Specifies that the obligation arises from the 'terms' of the contract.

mandated by the agreement to

Replaces 'contractually bound' with a term suggesting a formal command or requirement.

under a legal duty to

Highlights the legal responsibility arising from the contract.

constrained by the contract to

Focuses on the restrictive aspect of the contractual obligation.

FAQs

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

Use "contractually bound to" to indicate a legal obligation arising from a contract. For example, "The supplier is contractually bound to provide the materials within 30 days".

What is a synonym for "contractually bound to"?

A synonym for "contractually bound to" is "legally obligated to". This phrase conveys a similar meaning of being required to do something by law or contract.

Is it redundant to say "legally contractually bound to"?

Yes, saying "legally contractually bound to" is generally redundant. The term "contractually" already implies a legal agreement, so adding "legally" is unnecessary. Use "contractually bound to" or "legally bound to" instead.

What is the difference between "contractually bound to" and "ethically bound to"?

"Contractually bound to" indicates a legal obligation based on a contract, whereas "ethically bound to" indicates a moral or ethical obligation that may not be legally enforceable. One is a legal requirement and the other a moral one.