duty bound to

USAGE SUMMARY

"duty bound to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you feel obligated, or have a responsibility to do something. For example, "As a law-abiding citizen, I am duty bound to pay my taxes on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The group felt duty bound to continue its activities.

The New York Times

But I feel duty bound to declare an interest.

The New Yorker

"I think we're duty bound to provide support," Bush said.

The Guardian

Any professor suspecting plagiarism is duty bound to report it.

The Guardian - Opinion

Iran's leadership may now feel duty bound to pick up the gauntlet.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, some say that they are duty bound to keep the group in the spotlight.

The Guardian

Bridesmaids are duty bound to be uncomfortable; it's part of the job description.

The Guardian

Basildon is a bad one… " She feels duty bound to reply to them all.

The Guardian

"You are duty bound to protect the lives of the prisoners," she said.

The Guardian

Those managing the consultation are duty bound to read them all.

The Guardian - Money

In fact, we are all duty bound to do it because we are spending taxpayers' money.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "duty bound to" to express a strong sense of moral or ethical obligation. This phrase adds weight to your statement, suggesting the action is not merely optional, but a necessary fulfillment of one's responsibilities. For example: "As a journalist, I am "duty bound to" report the truth."

Common error

Avoid using "duty bound to" in casual contexts where a simpler expression of obligation would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly formal or pretentious. Consider using "have to", "need to", or "should" in less serious situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "duty bound to" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a subject, indicating a strong moral or legal obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, showing it effectively conveys a sense of responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "duty bound to" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that signifies a strong sense of obligation or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is commonly found in news and media, as well as in formal and business contexts. While generally neutral to formal in tone, overuse in casual settings should be avoided. Alternatives such as "obliged to" or "required to" may be suitable depending on the specific context. Understanding its nuances and usage patterns, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, allows for effective and precise communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obliged to

Suggests a formal or legal compulsion, similar to "duty bound to" but often implying a specific agreement or requirement.

required to

Indicates a necessity or obligation, often due to a rule or law. It's less about a personal sense of duty and more about an external requirement.

compelled to

Emphasizes an internal or external force driving the action, highlighting a sense of being driven or forced to do something.

morally obligated to

Specifically highlights the ethical or moral dimension of the obligation, making it clear that the duty arises from moral principles.

honor bound to

Implies that the obligation stems from a sense of personal honor or integrity, suggesting a strong commitment to fulfilling a promise or responsibility.

under an obligation to

A more formal way of expressing a duty or requirement, often used in legal or official contexts.

have a responsibility to

Focuses on the accountability and importance of the action, emphasizing the role or position that creates the duty.

feel it is my duty to

Highlights the personal sense of responsibility and motivation behind the action, emphasizing the speaker's internal conviction.

incumbent upon

A more formal and less common phrase, suggesting that the duty or responsibility falls specifically on a particular person or group.

bound by a sense of duty to

Emphasizes the internal motivation and the personal values that drive the sense of obligation.

FAQs

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

Use "duty bound to" when you want to express a strong feeling of obligation or responsibility. For example, "As a citizen, I feel "duty bound to" report any suspicious activity to the authorities."

What's a more formal alternative to "duty bound to"?

A more formal alternative to "duty bound to" is "incumbent upon". This phrase is often used in legal or official contexts to express a responsibility that falls on someone.

Which is correct, "duty bound to" or "duty-bound to"?

Both "duty bound to" and "duty-bound to" are technically correct. However, "duty bound to" is more common. The hyphenated version, "duty-bound to", is often used as a compound adjective before a noun, such as "a duty-bound individual".

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

You can use alternatives like "obliged to", "required to", or "morally obligated to" depending on the context.