bindingly?

English translation: use a different construction

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)

English term or phrase:	bindingly?
Selected answer:	use a different construction
Entered by:	Mark Nathan

19:46 Apr 17, 2013

English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Linguistics

English term or phrase: bindingly?

Can binding be used as an adverb, as in bindingly? It's recognised by spellchecker, but it just sounds odd to me. And not that it's absolutely indicative but the google hits (on a search for bindingly and irrevocably) are mostly links to sites in non-English speaking countries. It would make the translated sentence start like this: Buyer bindingly and irrevocably declares...
Maybe it's just time for bed :) Thanks for any advice!

Nathaniel2 KudoZ activity Questions: 101 (1 open) (19 closed without grading) Answers: 37
Local time: 14:03

use a different construction

Explanation:
Yes, I agree "bindingly" doesn't sound right in a formal document.

I would change the construction to something like,

"The buyer makes a binding and irrevocable undertaking to...

Selected response from:

Mark Nathan
France
Local time: 14:03

Grading comment

I'm sticking with a different construction as I normally do. Thanks for confirming!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer

SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED

3 +6

use a different construction

Mark Nathan

2 +3

Yes — or no!

Tony M

Answers

18 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +6

use a different construction

Explanation:
Yes, I agree "bindingly" doesn't sound right in a formal document.

I would change the construction to something like,

"The buyer makes a binding and irrevocable undertaking to...

Mark Nathan
France
Local time: 14:03
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 40

Grading comment

I'm sticking with a different construction as I normally do. Thanks for confirming!

20 mins confidence:

peer agreement (net): +3

bindingly Yes — or no!

Explanation:
Well, I must admit I thought it existed alright, but am surprised to find it not listed in my edition of New Shorter OED (c. 2001)

That said, I'm sure I have seen it used...

However, I think the problem is that in the particular example sentence you suggest, it simply would not fit; one might say 'solemnly and irrevocably', but I'm not entirely convinced it is actually possible to 'decalre' something 'bindingly'. There are lots of instances like this where even if an adverb exists, it sometimes sits awkwardly; we've had a discussion before about 'timely', which is familiar used as an adjective, but less so as an adverb, and so leads to some constructions that can appear odd at first reading.

Tony M
France
Local time: 14:03
Native speaker of:

English
PRO pts in category: 156

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English translation: use a different construction

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