under contract with

USAGE SUMMARY

"under contract with" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a situation in which someone is legally obligated to complete an agreement. For example, "I'm under contract with my employer to work for them for the next five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I am under contract with Molde.

The New York Times

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

Independent

A television natural, he remains under contract with the BBC.

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

Lampe is under contract with Real through 2008.

The New York Times - Sports

Both types of plans are operated by insurance companies under contract with the government.

The New York Times

Hospitals have also traditionally been in competition with one another and under contract with different insurers.

The New York Times - Health

"The whole Gosselin family remain under contract with TLC," the channel said in a statement.

The New York Times - Arts

Teams are forbidden from discussing Manning, or any other player under contract with another team.

The New York Times

The South American is under contract with the Serie A side until June 2013.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider context and intended nuance to avoid ambiguity. For example, use "affiliated with" if there's an association without a strict legal contract.

Common error

Avoid using "under contract with" to describe informal agreements or understandings. This phrase specifically denotes a legally binding contract, and misusing it can mislead readers about the nature of the relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under contract with" functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, indicating a legally binding agreement or obligation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it signifies that a party is bound by the terms outlined in a formal contract with another party.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under contract with" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to denote a legally binding agreement between parties. As Ludwig AI confirms, it accurately conveys the existence of a contractual obligation. Predominantly used in News & Media, the phrase finds relevance across professional and legal domains. To ensure accuracy, only employ this phrase when a formal written agreement is in place. For informal agreements, consider alternatives such as "affiliated with". By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "under contract with" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bound by agreement with

This suggests a more formal and legally binding agreement is in place.

obligated to

This phrase emphasizes the duty or requirement to fulfill certain conditions for someone or something.

in partnership with

This implies a collaborative relationship where parties work together towards a common goal.

affiliated with

This suggests a formal association or connection, often without the strict legal obligations of a contract.

working in collaboration with

Highlights a cooperative effort, typically in a project or endeavor.

under the employ of

Specifies an employer-employee relationship.

retained by

Suggests professional services are being provided under an agreement.

commissioned by

Implies that a specific task or project has been formally assigned to someone.

licensed by

Indicates official permission has been granted to operate or produce under certain terms.

franchised with

Indicates involvement as a franchise to the specific brand.

FAQs

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

The phrase "under contract with" indicates a legally binding agreement between two or more parties. For example, "The company is "under contract with" a supplier for raw materials."

What's a less formal alternative to "under contract with"?

If the situation doesn't involve a strict legal agreement, consider using alternatives like "affiliated with" or "associated with".

Is it correct to say "in contract with" instead of "under contract with"?

While "in contract" might be understood in some contexts, ""under contract with"" is the more standard and widely accepted phrasing.

What does it mean to be "under contract with" someone?

To be ""under contract with"" someone means that you have a legal agreement that obligates you to fulfill specific terms and conditions, such as providing services, delivering goods, or adhering to certain standards. Violating the contract could result in legal consequences.