to be afflicted with / to hold to
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afflicted with
To have a negative quality, a defect, a problem, or a risk. It describes that something or someone is marked by an undesirable characteristic.
Das Gutachten ist mit so vielen Fehlern behaftet, dass es unbrauchbar ist.
The expert report is afflicted with so many errors that it is unusable.
'Behaften' is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'be-'. This prefix remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'haften' (to stick, adhere).
Man kann ihn nicht für die Fehler anderer behaften.
You cannot hold him responsible for other people’s mistakes.
This meaning is used almost exclusively in the form 'mit etwas (Dativ) behaftet sein' (to be afflicted with something). The subject is the thing that has a defect, and the defect itself is attached with the preposition 'mit'.
Die Studie ist mit einigen methodischen Schwächen behaftet.
The study is afflicted with several methodological weaknesses.
In this meaning, 'behaften' follows a fixed structure: you hold someone (accusative) to something (dative). The accusative object is the person; the dative object, with 'bei', is the statement or promise.
Der Anwalt wird den Zeugen bei seiner ersten Aussage behaften.
The lawyer will hold the witness to his first statement.
The expression 'jemanden bei etwas behaften' (to hold someone to something) is used mainly in formal, official, or legal contexts. In normal everyday speech, it sounds very formal.
Im Vertrag steht, dass wir Sie bei Ihrer Zusage behaften können.
The contract states that we can hold you to your commitment.
to oblige / commit
'verpflichten' and 'behaften' can both mean that someone is bound to a promise or rule. 'verpflichten' is the normal word when someone has to do something, or when someone voluntarily commits to a task. 'behaften' is used in the phrase 'jemanden bei etwas behaften' (to hold someone to something). This means reminding someone of their earlier statement or promise and insisting on it. This word sounds formal and is much rarer in everyday language. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with obligation. Usually, 'verpflichten' is simpler and more natural; 'behaften' only fits in specific, formal situations.
Der Kunde wollte die Firma bei ihrer Zusage behaften.
The customer wanted to hold the company to its promise.
Der Vertrag verpflichtet beide Seiten zu klaren Regeln.
The contract obliges both sides to follow clear rules.