is bound to lay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is bound to lay" is not correct in standard written English.
The correct form should be "is bound to lie," as "lie" is the appropriate verb in this context. Example: "Given the circumstances, he is bound to lie about his whereabouts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It "must unshackle itself from a pernicious group of countries that have hijacked its operational mandate" with an agenda that has been "shameless, disruptive and unrelenting", says Kenya's man at the UN.The fact that all the cases being tried before the ICC are African is bound to lay it open to the charge of bias.

The Economist

And it has a great significance for practical applications by applying UKF to [20] which is bound to lay better foundation for the future data fusion problem.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

For sheer hubris it is hard to beat the title of this little book, but surprisingly, even a science-savvy reader is bound to admit that its 125 pages lay out some plausible (if not immediately practical) construction tips.

The New York Times - Science

And the subject matter of his lies is bound to be far more serious than the subject matter of Clinton's alleged lies.

Huffington Post

But a marriage that starts with a lie is bound to fall apart, and that is what has happened.

The New York Times - Sports

The culture of gaming the system for personal gain, which lies behind this, is bound to be destructive since for someone to win, someone must lose.

Huffington Post

As Mr Barrett points out, if a test shows a subject to be lying, he or she is bound to protest innocence; if he or she is shown to be telling the truth, then the result is unlikely to be disputed.

Independent

What has happened already is bound to be very small in comparison to what lies ahead.

The New Yorker

But today's reality is too stark for most to be ignored, which is why the continuation of a lie-based strategy is bound to keep conservatives mired in irrelevance.

Huffington Post

Something is bound to happen.

The New York Times

It is bound to retaliate.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "is bound to lay" in formal writing. Instead, consider using the correct phrase "is bound to lie" when referring to telling a falsehood, or choose a more appropriate alternative depending on the intended meaning, such as "is certain to" or "is likely to."

Common error

The verb "lay" requires a direct object (e.g., "lay the book down"), while "lie" (meaning to recline or to tell an untruth) does not. Using "lay" when "lie" is intended is a common error. Remember that "is bound to" expresses a strong probability or certainty, so ensure the correct verb follows.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is bound to lay" functions as an incorrect idiomatic expression attempting to convey inevitability or a high probability of a future action. The verb 'lay' is misused, and the correct form would be "is bound to lie" when referring to untruth or a different verb based on the intended meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is bound to lay" is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI indicates it should be "is bound to lie" (if referring to untruth) or a different verb based on context. The phrase's intended use is to express a high degree of certainty or inevitability. While examples exist in various sources like The Economist and Huffington Post, its incorrect grammar affects its suitability for formal contexts. Remember to use "lie" for untruths and choose a more appropriate verb based on your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is bound to lie

A grammatically correct version of the original query, indicating a high probability of someone telling a falsehood.

is guaranteed to produce

Indicates a strong assurance of a specific outcome, like a guarantee.

is set to bring about

Highlights an intention or arrangement to cause a specific result or change.

is certain to result in

Expresses a high degree of certainty about the outcome, focusing on the result rather than obligation.

is likely to generate

Focuses on the probability of something generating a specific result.

is sure to establish

Emphasizes the high probability of something being established or created.

is destined to create

Highlights fate or destiny, implying a predetermined outcome.

is expected to yield

Conveys an anticipation or expectation of a particular result.

is poised to initiate

Suggests readiness or preparation to start something, implying a forthcoming action.

is slated to develop

Refers to a scheduled or planned development, suggesting a predetermined course.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use "is bound to"?

The phrase "is bound to" indicates a high degree of certainty or inevitability. Follow it with a verb that accurately reflects the intended action or state. For example, "It is bound to happen" or, when referring to untruth, "He is bound to lie".

When should I use "is bound to lie" instead of "is bound to lay"?

"Is bound to lie" is used when you mean that someone is very likely to tell an untruth. "Is bound to lay" is grammatically incorrect in standard English; the correct verb is 'lie' in this context.

What are some alternatives to "is bound to happen"?

Alternatives include "is certain to happen", "is sure to happen", or "is inevitable", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid confusing "lay" and "lie" in my writing?

Remember that "lay" is a transitive verb (it takes an object) meaning to place something down, while "lie" is intransitive (it does not take an object) and means to recline or tell an untruth. If you're referring to telling an untruth or being in a reclined position use "lie". If not, then use "lay".