Irregular verb
The verb to bear
bear → bore → borne
B1Meaning: to accept something difficult; to carry something · Type: irregular · Frequency: Top 100 English verbs
Key points to remember
- Present Simple:
I/you/we/they bear·he/she/it bears - Past Simple:
bore(pronounced /bɔː/) - Past participle:
borne(most meanings) orborn(only for birth) - -ing form:
bearing
Conjugation of the verb to bear
Present Simple
| I | bear |
| You | bear |
| He / She / It | bears |
| We | bear |
| You (pl.) | bear |
| They | bear |
Past Simple
| I | bore |
| You | bore |
| He / She / It | bore |
| We | bore |
| You (pl.) | bore |
| They | bore |
All the forms of the verb to bear
Present Simple
Full pagebear / bears
“I can't bear the noise.”
See the pagePresent Continuous
Full pageam / is / are bearing
“I am bearing the noise right now.”
See the pagePast Simple
Full pagebore
“She bore the burden alone.”
See the pagePast Continuous
Full pagewas / were bearing
“I was bearing the noise when the phone rang.”
See the pagePresent Perfect
Full pagehave / has borne
“I have already borne the noise.”
See the pagePast Perfect
Full pagehad borne
“She had already borne the noise when I arrived.”
See the pageFuture Simple
Full pagewill bear
“I will bear the noise tomorrow.”
See the pageGoing to Future
Full pageam / is / are going to bear
“I'm going to bear the noise this weekend.”
See the pageConditional (would)
Full pagewould bear
“I would bear the noise if I had time.”
See the pageHow to use to bear
1. Bearing pain or a difficult situation
Can't bear means you cannot accept something because it is too unpleasant.
- I can't bear the noise.
- The pain was hard to bear.
2. Bearing a responsibility, bearing fruit
Here, bear means to carry or to have. A tree bears fruit when fruit grows on it.
- She bore the responsibility.
- The tree bears fruit.
3. Being born (passive)
For birth, always use the passive: was born or were born.
- I was born in Paris.
- She was born in 2010.
4. Bear in mind
Bear in mind means to remember something and think about it.
- Bear in mind that prices will go up.
Common mistakes to avoid
1. I am born in 2012 ❌
For birth, English always uses the passive in the past: I was born in 2012. Never say I born or I am born. The pattern never changes: she was born, they were born.
2. Bear: an animal and a verb
Bear is one word for two things. A bear is a wild animal. To bear means to carry, or to accept something difficult. A fun example: The bear can bear the cold. (The animal can accept the cold.)
What's next?
You can conjugate to bear. Now say it out loud.
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Related pages: bear
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Frequently asked questions
What is the past simple of bear?+
The Past Simple of bear is bore. The past participle is borne, or born when you talk about birth. Bear → bore → borne. It follows the same pattern as wear → wore → worn and tear → tore → torn.
What is the difference between born and borne?+
Born is only for birth, and it is always passive (with was or were): I was born in 2012. Borne is the past participle for all the other meanings: The costs are borne by the company. She has borne the burden alone. Learn this difference by heart.
Is it I was born or I am born?+
Say I was born + place or date: I was born in London in 2012. It is always passive and always in the past. I am born and I have been born are common mistakes.
What is the difference between bear and bare?+
Bear and bare sound the same: /beə/. A bear is a big wild animal, and to bear means to carry or to accept something difficult. Bare means with nothing on it: bare feet, a bare wall. Compare: A bear walks in the forest. The walls are bare.
What does bear with me mean?+
Bear with me is a polite way to say “please wait a moment” or “please be patient with me”. Bear with me while I check. You often hear it on the phone or in shops. Don't say bear me: you need with.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/bear
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.