Bare or Bear: Which Word Do You Want to Use?

Bare and bear are two commonly confused words. They sound the same and their spellings differ only by transposed letters, but they have different definitions so it’s easy to use one when you might mean the other.

Today we’ll look at the distinctions between bare and bear and how you can use the words correctly.

The Meaning of Bare

To be bare (an adjective) is essentially to be naked or uncovered. That’s why in American English we often use phrases such as bare hands and bare feet when our hands and feet are not covered.

Bare can function as a verb with a similar context as well:

Joseph bared his hands to show they were clean.

Sheila took off her shoes and bared her feet.

You may also come across a phrase such as the bare (adjective) minimum, which is another way of saying “the smallest possible amount of a substance or effort.”

The word bare might be difficult to master when we realize it sounds exactly like bear and somewhat resembles its spelling. We will get to the definition of bear in a moment, but knowing that bare involves being naked or exposed can help to clear some confusion.

One way to retain the function and spelling of bare is to remember that to give our skin proper care, we often have to make it bare.

The Meaning of Bear

Bear has two meanings. As a verb, it means “to carry or withstand something.” As a noun, it refers to a large animal often found in the woods or mountains.

Let’s look at a couple of examples of bear as a verb:

My toothache was so bad I couldn’t bear it much longer.

Being a billionaire is a situation I would gladly bear.

As you can see, bear functions as a synonym for “to endure.”

Now let’s use bear as a noun:

I wanted to hike to the waterfall, but the park rangers said a bear was in the area.

To use this word correctly, remember that though it is pronounced like bare, its spelling in writing follows the same order of vowels that appear in the word fear—as in fear of a very big mammal!

Bare vs. Bear

Bare as an adjective means “unconcealed”: bare arms. As a verb it means “expose”: to bare one’s feelings.

Bear as a noun refers to a wild animal. As a verb it has many meanings, from “carry” (bear arms) to “tolerate” (I can’t bear it) to “steer” (bear right at the corner).

Pop Quiz

Fill in each blank with the appropriate use of bare or bear.

1. If you would _____ with me for a moment, I’ll get a confirmation number for your reservation.

2. It’s amazing to think that _____-knuckle boxing used to be a professional sport.

3. I couldn’t _____ knowing that my sister had to make the drive through a snowstorm.

4. Mary promised she would tell us only the _____ truth.

5. If you ever meet a _____ in the wild, remember that they can climb trees.

 

Pop Quiz Answers

1. If you would bear with me for a moment, I’ll get a confirmation number for your reservation.

2. It’s amazing to think that bare-knuckle boxing used to be a professional sport.

3. I couldn’t bear knowing that my sister had to make the drive through a snowstorm.

4. Mary promised she would tell us only the bare truth.

5. If you ever meet a bear in the wild, remember that they can climb trees.

Take Your Grammar Beyond the Bare Minimum

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