is bound to be

USAGE SUMMARY

'is bound to be' is correct and used commonly in written English.
It is used to express strong likelihood or certainty that something will happen or be true. Example: With two weeks before the wedding, there is sure to be a lot of last minute preparations--it is bound to be chaotic.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

There is bound to be skepticism.

The New York Times

The ruling is bound to be controversial.

The Economist

The figure is bound to be big.

The New York Times

Britain is bound to be affected.

Independent

That is bound to be painful.

The Economist

There is bound to be some.

The Economist

Progress is bound to be fitful.

The Economist

It is bound to be very imperfect.

The New Yorker

This is bound to be less generous".

The Guardian

The outcome is bound to be inflation.

The Guardian

It is bound to be popular.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is bound to be" to convey a strong sense of certainty or inevitability. This phrase is most effective when you want to emphasize a predictable outcome based on current conditions or trends.

Common error

Avoid using "is bound to be" when the outcome is merely probable or speculative. Reserve this phrase for situations where the evidence strongly suggests a particular result, to prevent misleading your audience.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is bound to be" functions as a modal construction, expressing a high degree of certainty or inevitability regarding a future event or state. Ludwig confirms its correctness and common usage in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is bound to be" is a modal phrase used to express a high degree of certainty about a future event or state. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English, particularly in news and media contexts. While it conveys a strong sense of inevitability, it's important to reserve this phrase for situations where the evidence strongly supports the predicted outcome. Alternatives like "is certain to be" or "is likely to be" can be used when the level of certainty is lower. With over 50 examples, its frequency is very common.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is certain to be

Emphasizes a high degree of confidence in the outcome.

is sure to be

Expresses a strong expectation or belief about a future event.

will definitely be

Highlights the inevitability of the event.

is guaranteed to be

Implies a promise or assurance that something will happen.

is destined to be

Suggests that an event is predetermined or unavoidable.

is likely to be

Indicates a high probability of occurrence.

is expected to be

Focuses on anticipation or prediction based on current knowledge.

is poised to be

Suggests readiness or preparation for a particular state.

is apt to be

Expresses a natural tendency or inclination towards something.

is slated to be

Highlights that something has been formally planned or scheduled.

FAQs

What does "is bound to be" mean?

The phrase "is bound to be" means something is very likely or certain to happen. It implies a high degree of confidence in a particular outcome.

How to use "is bound to be" in a sentence?

You can use "is bound to be" to express strong likelihood or certainty about something. For example, "With the current economic climate, the meeting "is bound to be" intense".

What can I say instead of "is bound to be"?

You can use alternatives like "is certain to be", "is sure to be", or "is likely to be" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "is bound to be" and "might be"?

"Is bound to be" expresses a high degree of certainty, whereas "might be" suggests possibility or uncertainty. Therefore, these phrases cannot be used interchangeably.