we are bound to

USAGE SUMMARY

"we are bound to" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to convey that something is required or necessary, usually due to a rule, moral obligation, or other constraint. Example: We are bound to keep our promise, no matter what.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are bound to think of Leonardo.

The New York Times - Arts

We are bound to miss our step.

The Guardian - Arts

We are bound to get into ice.

The New York Times - Books

We are bound to each other, as are all Americans.

The New York Times

The next excuse we are bound to hear is travel.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are bound to succeed," continued Mr. Park.

The New York Times

From womb to tomb, we are bound to others.

The Guardian

Until and unless we bring the three into line, we are bound to be in trouble.

The Guardian - Opinion

By mid-August, we are bound to be in full Woodstock mode.

The New York Times

We are bound to acknowledge the "wide" but should put a question mark over the "easy".

The New Yorker

We are bound to have more problems". Others, including advisers to Mr. Yeltsin, expressed similar sentiments.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "we are bound to" when emphasizing a strong likelihood or obligation, ensuring the context clearly indicates whether it's due to necessity, law, or probability.

Common error

Avoid using "we are bound to" if the obligation source is unclear. Specify why the action is necessary—is it a legal requirement, a moral imperative, or simply a high probability based on past events?

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we are bound to" functions as an auxiliary verb phrase expressing a strong degree of certainty or obligation. It indicates that a particular outcome or action is highly probable or required. This is supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

13%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we are bound to" is a versatile expression used to convey a strong sense of obligation, inevitability, or a high probability of a certain outcome. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academic writing. While similar phrases like "we are certain to" or "we are obliged to" exist, each carries nuanced differences. When using "we are bound to", ensure the reason for the obligation or likelihood is clearly established to avoid ambiguity. Its frequent presence across various reputable sources underscores its relevance in both formal and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we are certain to

Emphasizes a high degree of certainty about a future event, rather than obligation.

we are sure to

Indicates a strong expectation that something will happen, similar to 'certain'.

we will inevitably

Focuses on the unavoidable nature of an event.

we are destined to

Suggests a predetermined course of events or fate.

we are obliged to

Highlights a sense of duty or legal requirement.

we are required to

Focuses on a formal or imposed necessity.

we must

Expresses a strong sense of necessity or obligation.

it is incumbent upon us to

Places a formal responsibility on the speaker and their group.

we have no choice but to

Highlights the lack of alternatives, making an action necessary.

we are compelled to

Indicates an external force or internal feeling driving an action.

FAQs

How can I use "we are bound to" in a sentence?

"We are bound to" expresses a strong likelihood or obligation. For instance, "If we continue down this path, "we are bound to fail"" suggests failure is highly probable. Alternatively, "As members, "we are bound to uphold the rules"" indicates an obligation.

What alternatives can I use instead of "we are bound to"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "we are certain to" (emphasizing certainty), "we are obliged to" (highlighting a duty), or "we will inevitably" (focusing on inevitability).

Is it always appropriate to use "we are bound to"?

While grammatically correct, "we are bound to" should be used when there is a clear reason for the obligation or likelihood. Avoid it in situations where the connection is vague or unsupported.

What's the difference between "we are bound to" and "we are likely to"?

"We are bound to" implies a stronger sense of inevitability or obligation than "we are likely to". "We are likely to" suggests a probability, whereas "we are bound to" suggests a near certainty or a requirement. For example, "we are likely to succeed" is less forceful than stating "we are bound to succeed".