legally bound to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "legally bound to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to indicate that someone is obligated to follow a law, contract, or agreement. Example: "The company is legally bound to fulfill its contractual obligations to its clients."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The company is legally bound to inform shareholders of any material legal disputes in such documentation.

Independent

We are legally bound to each other.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

No statue is legally bound to stand forever.

The New York Times - Sports

But Kory Teneycke, Mr. Harper's spokesman, confirmed that they are not legally bound to that promise.

The New York Times

Israel unleashed military firepower against a people it is legally bound to protect.

The New York Times

Future governments are now legally bound to squeeze every possible drop out of the ground.

The Guardian

Mr. Fish noted that delegates were not "legally bound" to support Mr. Huckabee.

The New York Times

The landlord will then be legally bound to bring the home up to an E-rating.

The Guardian

They are: Calpers is legally bound to pay a specified level of benefits.

The New York Times

The UK is not legally bound to meet the heat target, which is advisory.

The Guardian

Why should they not be legally bound to protect it, as other businesses are?

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "legally bound to", ensure that the context clearly establishes the source of the legal obligation, such as a specific law, contract, or regulation.

Common error

Avoid using "legally bound to" without specifying the exact source or nature of the legal obligation. Vague references can lead to misinterpretation and potential legal issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legally bound to" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating a state of legal obligation or compulsion. It is typically followed by a verb that specifies the action or duty that one is legally required to perform, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "legally bound to" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a legal obligation or requirement. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is correct and frequent across diverse domains, particularly in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When employing this phrase, clarity regarding the origin and nature of the legal obligation is essential to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "obligated to by law" or "required by law" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obligated to by law

This alternative emphasizes the legal basis of the obligation more directly.

required by law

This alternative focuses on the mandatory aspect imposed by legal statutes.

legally obligated

This version rearranges the words while maintaining the core meaning of legal obligation.

compelled by law

This alternative suggests a stronger sense of enforcement and legal pressure.

contractually obligated

This focuses specifically on obligations arising from a contract rather than general law.

under legal obligation

This phrase provides an alternative structure while retaining the meaning of being legally obliged.

subject to legal requirement

This highlights the subjection to a legal condition or necessity.

mandated by law

This emphasizes the official and authoritative nature of the legal requirement.

required to by statute

This alternative underlines the specific source of the legal requirement being a statute.

answerable under the law

This phrase implies accountability and responsibility to the law.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "legally bound to" something?

To be "legally bound to" something means you have a legal obligation to do it, typically based on a law, contract, or agreement. Failure to comply can result in legal consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "legally bound to"?

You can use alternatives like "obligated to by law", "required by law", or "legally obligated" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "legally bound to" and "morally obligated to"?

"Legally bound to" implies a legal requirement enforceable by law, while "morally obligated to" implies a duty based on ethical or moral principles, which is not necessarily legally enforceable.

How is "legally bound to" different from "contractually obligated"?

"Legally bound to" is a broader term that includes obligations from laws, regulations, and contracts, whereas "contractually obligated" specifically refers to obligations arising from a contractual agreement.