- Have you ever wondered why we say “bear in mind” instead of “keep in mind” in professional settings?
- Do you find it confusing when someone tells you to “bear left” while driving?
- Are you unsure whether a project “gives fruit” or “bears fruit”?
Mastering collocations—words that naturally live together—is the fastest way to move from “sounding like a textbook” to sounding like a fluent English speaker. The word bear is a powerhouse in the English language, functioning as both a common noun and a high-frequency verb. Understanding these pairings will help you reduce language anxiety and communicate with precision in both social and business environments.
Common Collocations with BEAR as a Verb
In modern English, the verb “bear” usually relates to carrying weight (either physical or emotional), enduring something difficult, or producing a result. Here are the most common ways to use it correctly in 2024.
1. Mental and Cognitive Processes
These collocations are essential for academic and professional discussions.
- Bear in mind: To remember or consider a specific piece of information.
Example: Please bear in mind that the deadline has been moved to Friday. - Bear a resemblance to: To look like or be similar to someone or something else.
Example: The new smartphone bears a striking resemblance to last year’s model.
2. Responsibility and Enduring Hardship
Use these when talking about burdens, costs, or difficult situations.
- Bear the brunt of: To suffer the worst part of something unpleasant.
Example: Small businesses bore the brunt of the economic recession. - Bear the responsibility: To be the person who must deal with a task or its consequences.
Example: As the manager, she must bear the responsibility for the team’s performance. - Bear the cost: To pay for something.
Example: The company has agreed to bear the cost of the relocation. - Can’t bear (it): To strongly dislike something or find it impossible to endure.
Example: I can’t bear the sound of loud chewing.
3. Producing Results and Evidence
These are often used in formal or metaphorical contexts.
- Bear fruit: To produce successful results after a period of effort.
Example: Our marketing efforts are finally starting to bear fruit. - Bear witness: To provide evidence or proof of something.
Example: The ruins bear witness to the city’s ancient history. - Bear interest: When a bank account or investment earns money over time.
Example: This savings account bears 5% interest annually.
4. Directional and Physical Movement
Commonly used in navigation and driving.
- Bear left / Bear right: To move or turn slightly in a specific direction.
Example: After the gas station, bear right onto the main highway.
Essential Collocations using BEAR as a Noun
As a noun, “bear” refers to the animal, but it also has specific uses in finance and idiomatic English.
1. Specific Types of Bears
- Polar bear / Grizzly bear / Black bear: Specific species of the animal.
Example: We saw a grizzly bear from a safe distance during our hike. - Teddy bear: A soft toy for children.
Example: The toddler refused to go to sleep without his favorite teddy bear.
2. Financial Contexts
In the world of investing, “bear” has a very specific meaning.
- Bear market: A period when stock prices are falling and investors are pessimistic.
Example: Investors are worried that the current downturn signals the start of a long bear market.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Bear in mind | Verb Phrase | Remember / Consider |
| Bear fruit | Verb Phrase | Show positive results |
| Bear a resemblance | Verb Phrase | Look similar to |
| Bear market | Noun Phrase | Falling stock prices |
| Bear the cost | Verb Phrase | Pay for something |
| Bear left/right | Verb Phrase | Turn slightly |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Keep in your mind that… | Bear in mind that… |
| The project gave fruit. | The project bore fruit. |
| He has a resemblance to his dad. | He bears a resemblance to his dad. |
| I can’t support this heat. | I can’t bear this heat. |
Note: While “Keep in mind” is also correct and common, “Bear in mind” is the preferred formal collocation.
“When we started the startup, we knew we would have to bear the cost of initial failures. We had to bear in mind that success takes time. Thankfully, our strategy finally began to bear fruit last quarter. Even though the economy is currently in a bear market, our investors are happy because our new product bears a resemblance to the most successful designs in the industry.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Bear Collocations
What is the difference between ‘bear’ and ‘bare’?
This is a common “homophone” error. ‘Bear’ (verb) means to carry or endure, and ‘bear’ (noun) is the animal. ‘Bare’ is an adjective meaning naked or empty (e.g., “bare feet” or “bare walls”). You should always use ‘bear’ for collocations like ‘bear in mind’.
Is it ‘born’ or ‘borne’ when using ‘bear’ as a verb?
‘Born’ is used exclusively for birth (e.g., “I was born in 1990”). ‘Borne’ is the past participle used for all other meanings of the verb bear, such as carrying or enduring (e.g., “The costs were borne by the company”).
What is the past tense of the verb ‘bear’?
The past tense is ‘bore’. For example: “She bore the heavy luggage up the stairs” or “The trees bore a lot of apples last year.”
Can I use ‘bear’ in formal writing?
Yes, absolutely. In fact, many ‘bear’ collocations like ‘bear witness’ and ‘bear a resemblance’ are considered more formal and professional than their simpler counterparts like ‘show’ or ‘look like’.
What does ‘bear with me’ mean?
This is a very common polite expression meaning “please be patient with me.” It is frequently used in customer service or when you are looking for information during a conversation.
This post explains why my English sometimes sounds 'like a textbook.' I used to say 'make a resemblance' which sounds so wrong now that I read 'bear a resemblance.' Thank you for helping me sound more fluent!
What about 'bear with me'? I hear that sometimes when someone wants me to wait or be patient. Is that another common 'bear' collocation, and how does it fit into the categories you mentioned?
The examples are perfect and truly illustrate the usage. This level of clarity is exactly what advanced learners need. Thank you for this excellent resource!
Regarding 'bear in mind,' I've noticed it in many formal documents. Would it be appropriate in a casual chat with friends, or does it sound too stiff? When would 'keep in mind' be the preferred option for natural conversation?
That's a fantastic nuance to explore, David! While 'bear in mind' isn't incorrect in casual conversation, it does retain a slightly more serious or formal tone. For a relaxed chat with friends, 'keep in mind' would generally sound more natural and less stiff. For instance, 'Keep in mind, the party starts at 7' sounds more casual than 'Please bear in mind that the party commences at 7.' The context and desired level of formality are key here!
I loved this article! It's so clear. Could you perhaps do another post on common collocations with 'take' or 'make'? Those verbs also confuse me a lot!
This makes me curious about the etymology! Does the verb 'bear' in these collocations have a common root or a similar historical meaning across all these different uses (carrying, enduring, producing)?
That's a fascinating question, Javier, and it delves deep into the history of English! Indeed, the different meanings of the verb 'bear' (to carry, to endure, to produce) all stem from a very old Proto-Indo-European root that meant 'to carry' or 'to bring.' Over centuries, this core meaning evolved and diversified metaphorically. So, 'to carry a burden,' 'to carry a child' (give birth), 'to carry fruit' (produce), and even 'to carry a resemblance' are all ultimately linked by that ancient sense of 'carrying' or 'bringing forth.' It's a wonderful example of how language evolves!
A great resource! I often tell my students that learning collocations is like learning chunks of language, not just single words. This article is a perfect example to illustrate that point.
Precisely, Sophie! 'Learning chunks' is a brilliant way to describe it. It's more efficient and leads to much more natural-sounding English. We're delighted to provide resources that support this effective learning strategy. We appreciate your valuable insights as an educator!
I once heard someone say, 'I can't bear to think about it.' Is that related to the 'enduring something difficult' meaning of bear? It wasn't in the examples, but I wondered.
Fantastic observation, Chen! You're absolutely spot on. 'I can't bear to think about it' perfectly illustrates the 'enduring something difficult' aspect, specifically referring to enduring emotional pain or discomfort. In this context, 'bear' means to tolerate or withstand. It's a very common and powerful way to express strong negative feelings. Thanks for sharing this excellent example!
The explanation of collocations as 'words that naturally live together' is so easy to understand! Thank you! I'm an absolute beginner, and this really helps me see why just knowing individual words isn't enough.
We're so glad to hear that, Maria! That's precisely why we emphasize collocations – they are the secret sauce to sounding natural and fluent. Think of it like learning to drive; you don't just learn about the steering wheel and the pedals separately, you learn how they work *together*. Keep practicing these natural pairings, and you'll see huge progress!
'Bear a resemblance to' is a phrase I've heard but never quite understood the 'bear' part of. This explanation makes perfect sense! Are there any other 'bear' collocations that relate to having or showing a certain characteristic or quality, rather than physical resemblance?