is under contract

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is under contract" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that a person, property, or asset is legally bound by a contract. Example: "The property is under contract, meaning it cannot be sold to anyone else until the contract has expired."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Neither is under contract for next season.

The New York Times - Sports

Their house is under contract for $225,000.

The New York Times

Sundhage is under contract through the Olympics.

The New York Times - Sports

Lewis is under contract to Home Box Office, Tyson is under contract to Showtime.

The New York Times - Sports

Only one firm is under contract to produce anthrax vaccine.

The Economist

He is under contract for 2011 for $6.5 million.

The New York Times - Sports

"Marco is under contract with Inter until June 2010".

Independent

Balotelli is under contract with Inter for another three seasons.

The Guardian - Sport

Ronaldinho is under contract with the Rossoneri until June 2011.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Gregory is under contract at NBC until January 2010.

The New York Times

Bernie Williams is under contract for another four seasons.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is under contract", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being contracted (e.g., a person, a property, a service) to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid assuming that "is under contract" implies a fixed end date. Always clarify the contract's duration and termination conditions to prevent misunderstandings about its validity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is under contract" functions as a predicate adjective, describing the state or condition of a noun (person, object, or entity). It indicates that the subject is legally bound by the terms of a contract, as confirmed by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sports

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is under contract" is a very common and grammatically correct construction used to indicate that an entity is legally bound by an agreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a predicate adjective, primarily found in News & Media, Sports, and Formal & Business contexts. To avoid ambiguity, always ensure the contract's subject is clear. While the phrase is neutral in tone, it's crucial to specify the contract's duration and termination clauses to prevent misunderstandings. When seeking alternatives, consider phrases like "is bound by agreement" or "has a contractual obligation" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is bound by agreement

Focuses on the binding nature of the agreement, rather than the contractual aspect.

is obligated by contract

Emphasizes the obligation stemming from the contract.

is committed by terms

Highlights the commitment based on specific terms.

has a contractual obligation

Rephrases the concept using a noun phrase to describe the obligation.

is subject to the agreement

Indicates that the subject is governed by the agreement.

is party to a contract

Focuses on the involvement of the subject as a party in the contract.

has signed a contract

Emphasizes the act of signing the contract.

is legally obliged

Highlights the legal aspect of the obligation, removing direct reference to a contract.

is engaged by agreement

Suggests an active engagement or commitment based on the agreement.

is tied to the terms

Indicates a strong connection and obligation to the terms specified.

FAQs

How can I use "is under contract" in a sentence?

You can use "is under contract" to indicate that a person, company, or item is legally bound by the terms of a contract. For example, "The property "is under contract", so we cannot accept other offers at this time."

What's the difference between "is under contract" and "is subject to agreement"?

"Is under contract" specifically implies a formal, written agreement, whereas "is subject to agreement" can refer to more informal or preliminary understandings that might not be legally binding.

What can I say instead of "is under contract" to describe a binding agreement?

You could use alternatives such as "is bound by agreement", "is obligated by contract", or "has a contractual obligation" depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "is under contract" or "are under contract"?

The correct form depends on the subject. Use "is under contract" for singular subjects (e.g., "The house "is under contract""), and "are under contract" for plural subjects (e.g., "Both companies "are under contract"").