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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > What does "be bound to do smth" mean in terms of modal meanings?
What does "be bound to do smth" mean in terms of modal meanings?
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niksailor
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What does "be bound to do smth" mean in terms of modal meanings?
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Hello! Could you, please, explain the modal meaning of the construction "be bound to do smth"? What widely used modal verbs (should, must etc.) are synonyms to it, so that I can try to translate the construction into my native language?thanx in advance  |
6 Sep 2014
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Zora
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Hi there,
On a colloquial level, it means "that you most likely will do smthing or smthing will happen, but it �s not a 100% assured."
Today, I am bound to go shopping. Call me later and I will let you know.
I am not sure, but he is bound to appear at any moment.
They are bound to bring the dog so take your allergy pills just in case.
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6 Sep 2014
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cunliffe
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To add to these answers - it mainly corresponds with must in this sense and this is how it is used. He is bound to know = he must know (neither of these is 100% certain).
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7 Sep 2014
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niksailor
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Many thanks for your explanations)) I �ve encountered this construction so many times but there is hardly a good dictionary explaining it in detail |
7 Sep 2014
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FrauSue
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For me, "bound to do" is closest in meaning to "almost certain to do", so there is no one modal verb that translates it. It can suggest obligation but more usually it is used to suggest very strong probability.
- He �s bound to be late = I am sure that he will be late. - I �m bound to fall over that loose stone one day. = I am almost certainly going to fall over that stone one day; it is practically inevitable.
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23 Sep 2014
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