Confusing Words: Bear (noun) and Bare (adjective)
Clarification: Bear with me is the correct expression which means ‘request for patience’.
Bear With Me or Bare With Me – What is the Difference, Definition & Meaning?
If you note down the above two expressions, you will come to know that there is just one-letter difference between these expressions, bare and bear. The confusion is because of the homophones ‘bear’ and ‘bare’. The pronunciation is exactly the same but the meanings and the usage are totally different from each other.
Firstly, I will define the words ‘bear’ and ‘bare’ separately and use these words within sentences. In this way, it will be easy for you to differentiate between the above expressions.
Bear
As a noun, bear is used to refer a large and strong mammal covered with thick fur. They are mostly found in colder areas (in the woods). For example,
- I was very scared when I encountered a large black bear in the woods.
As a verb, bear means to tolerate something terrible. For example,
- I can’t bear this kind of awful attitude in my class.
Expression: Bear With Me
From the above discussion, bear, as a noun, does not fit into this phrase. This particular expression is used to request for patience or tolerance. For example,
- The teacher asked the students to bear with her and make no noise.
Bare
This particular word is used as an adjective within sentences. As an adjective, bare means not covered or unclothed.
- Please, don’t walk on the floor with bare feet.
Expression: Bare With Me
From the above discussion, bare is not suitable for this expression. If we look at the meaning, bare with me would mean a request or an invitation to be uncovered or exposed. In this way, it is clearly not making sense.
Got it?
Bear With Me = Request for Patience
So, it has been clear that, from the above two expressions, bear with me is the correct expression to use for the meaning to request for patience or tolerance. On the other hand, bare with me is clearly an incorrect expression.
If you will feel confusion again, just recall the meanings of bear (as a verb) and bare.
Bear with me = Correct
Bare with me = Wrong
What Did You Learn?
Bear with me is the correct expression which means ‘request for patience’. In this expression, bear is taken as a verb not as a noun. As a noun, bear is a mammal that, for sure, does not fit into this expression.