diff --git a/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/parse_yaml.py b/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/parse_yaml.py
index 24429913..e870809e 100644
--- a/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/parse_yaml.py
+++ b/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/parse_yaml.py
@@ -104,9 +104,34 @@ def validation_base_name(function_name: str):
 
 
 @typechecked
-def validate_validator_combinations(param_name: str, validations_dict: dict):
+def validate_validator_combinations(
+    param_name: str, defined_type: str, validations_dict: dict
+):
     validation_names = {validation_base_name(name) for name in validations_dict}
 
+    scalar_bound_validators = {'bounds', 'gt', 'gt_eq', 'lt', 'lt_eq'}
+    element_bound_validators = {
+        'element_bounds',
+        'lower_element_bounds',
+        'upper_element_bounds',
+    }
+    if array_type(defined_type) and validation_names.intersection(
+        scalar_bound_validators
+    ):
+        raise compile_error(
+            "Parameter {} has array type '{}' but uses a scalar bound validator. "
+            "Use 'element_bounds/lower_element_bounds/upper_element_bounds' instead.".format(
+                param_name, defined_type
+            )
+        )
+    if not array_type(defined_type) and validation_names.intersection(
+        element_bound_validators
+    ):
+        raise compile_error(
+            "Parameter {} has scalar type '{}' but uses an element bound validator. "
+            "Use 'bounds/gt/gt_eq/lt/lt_eq' instead.".format(param_name, defined_type)
+        )
+
     if 'element_bounds' in validation_names and {
         'lower_element_bounds',
         'upper_element_bounds',
@@ -117,9 +142,8 @@ def validate_validator_combinations(param_name: str, validations_dict: dict):
             )
         )
 
-    scalar_bound_validators = {'gt', 'gt_eq', 'lt', 'lt_eq'}
     if 'bounds' in validation_names and validation_names.intersection(
-        scalar_bound_validators
+        scalar_bound_validators - {'bounds'}
     ):
         raise compile_error(
             "Parameter {} cannot combine 'bounds' with scalar bound validators "
@@ -793,7 +817,7 @@ def preprocess_inputs(language, name, value, nested_name_list):
     if is_fixed_type(defined_type):
         validations_dict['size_lt<>'] = fixed_type_size(defined_type) + 1
 
-    validate_validator_combinations(param_name, validations_dict)
+    validate_validator_combinations(param_name, defined_type, validations_dict)
 
     for func_name in validations_dict:
         args = validations_dict[func_name]
diff --git a/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/test/YAML_parse_error_test.py b/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/test/YAML_parse_error_test.py
index 28007666..c1eee10b 100644
--- a/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/test/YAML_parse_error_test.py
+++ b/generate_parameter_library_py/generate_parameter_library_py/test/YAML_parse_error_test.py
@@ -21,7 +21,10 @@
 from generate_parameter_library_py.generate_cpp_header import run as run_cpp
 from generate_parameter_library_py.generate_python_module import run as run_python
 from generate_parameter_library_py.generate_markdown import run as run_md
-from generate_parameter_library_py.parse_yaml import YAMLSyntaxError
+from generate_parameter_library_py.parse_yaml import (
+    YAMLSyntaxError,
+    validate_validator_combinations,
+)
 from generate_parameter_library_py.generate_cpp_header import parse_args
 
 
@@ -100,3 +103,48 @@ def test_parse_valid_parameter_files(yaml_test_file):
         set_up(yaml_test_file)
     except Exception as e:
         assert False, f'failed to parse valid file, reason:{e}'
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    'defined_type,validations,expected_message',
+    [
+        (
+            'double_array',
+            {'bounds<>': [0.0, 1.0]},
+            'uses a scalar bound validator',
+        ),
+        (
+            'int_array_fixed_03',
+            {'gt_eq<>': [0]},
+            'uses a scalar bound validator',
+        ),
+        (
+            'double',
+            {'element_bounds<>': [0.0, 1.0]},
+            'uses an element bound validator',
+        ),
+        (
+            'int',
+            {'upper_element_bounds<>': [10]},
+            'uses an element bound validator',
+        ),
+    ],
+)
+def test_bound_validator_matches_parameter_type(
+    defined_type, validations, expected_message
+):
+    with pytest.raises(YAMLSyntaxError, match=expected_message):
+        validate_validator_combinations('test_param', defined_type, validations)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize(
+    'defined_type,validations',
+    [
+        ('double_array', {'element_bounds<>': [0.0, 1.0]}),
+        ('int_array_fixed_03', {'lower_element_bounds<>': [0]}),
+        ('double', {'bounds<>': [0.0, 1.0]}),
+        ('int', {'gt_eq<>': [0]}),
+    ],
+)
+def test_bound_validator_accepts_matching_parameter_type(defined_type, validations):
+    validate_validator_combinations('test_param', defined_type, validations)