Be bound to means certain to, sure to: someone is bound to find it. It's a confident prediction: with so many people, there are bound to be questions. In contracts and rules, it means obliged: both partners are bound to report changes. Words like legally or under the agreement show which meaning you have.
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be bound to + base verb / be legally bound to + base verb
- With such clear instructions, someone is bound to find the address.
- There are bound to be a few empty seats at the back.
- Under the agreement, both partners are bound to report any changes.
What changed
First versionThere are bound to being questions after the announcement.
RevisionThere are bound to be questions after the announcement.
To after bound is easy to read as a preposition, as in looking forward to, which takes -ing. But here to is part of the infinitive: bound to be, bound to happen. Being became be, and the prediction is correct.
Likely to means probably, which is softer: it's likely to rain. Bound to is near certainty: it's bound to rain, look at the sky. Bound for means heading to: a train bound for the coast. To before a verb, for before a place.
Your turn
Choose the form after bound to: A new route is bound to ___ attention.
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attract — Bound to is followed by the base form of the verb: attract. Attracting doesn't fit here.
Make a confident prediction about a trip, a party or a meeting, and give the reason. Use be bound to.
With a café beside every exit, we are bound to find somewhere to sit.
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