‘Bare’ vs. ‘Bear’: How to Use ‘Bear’ and ‘Bare’ in Writing

“Bare” and “bear” are homophones in the English language, meaning they sound alike but have different meanings. - __“Bare” means naked or unadorned__. Whether you're talking about someone's “bare hands” or doing the “bare minimum,” the word “bare” always relates to being stripped down. It can be either a verb or an adjective. - __“Bear” means to carry, produce, or endure__. A person can “bear responsibility,” and a tree can “bear fruit.” If you strongly dislike something, you might say you "cannot bear it." - __“Bear” also refers to a furry animal__. You might come across a grizzly bear in the wild, but there’s no such thing as a grizzly bare. “Bare” works as both an adjective and a verb in the English language. 1. __As a verb__: "The songwriter will bare her soul on her new piano ballad." 2. __As a literal adjective__: "I love walking through the sand in my bare feet." 3. __As a figurative adjective__: "This was a bare-bones production." 4. __As a past participle__: "We learned the large mammal that bared its teeth was in fact a black bear." The verb “bear” relates to carrying, producing, or enduring something. The noun “bear” refers to a furry mammal. 1. __As a verb describing a burden__: "Megan must bear a heavy load as our team captain." 2. __As an infinitive verb describing a state of being__: "Murray spoke of his right to bear arms." 3. __As a verb describing the act of displaying__: "The tree bears a scar from a past lightning strike." 4. __As "bore" in the past tense form__: "My mother bore four children, including me." 5. __As "borne" in the past perfect form__: "Luke had borne the brunt of Lester's criticism." 6. __Describing a large, furry mammal__: "There are plenty of black bears in upstate New York." As you choose between the homophones “bare” and “bear,” remember these writing tips to select the right word. 1. __“Bare” is light__. If you are talking about something being naked, basic, or unadorned or are describing the action of stripping something down, “bare” is the correct word. Associate “bare” with “lightness” to remember its meaning and proper usage. 2. __“Bear” is heavy__. If you are talking about anything else—whether that's someone's burden or responsibility, the act of physically carrying something, or producing something tangible—the correct expression will feature bear. Of course, “bear” is also the proper spelling for the furry woodland animal. Associate “bear” with “heaviness” to remember its many meanings. You can also use mnemonic devices to highlight the differences between these commonly confused words. The phrase, "a bear can't bear to wait for the tree to bear fruit," highlights the multiple meanings of “bear.” Think of "the bare minimum" to remind yourself that all versions of “bare” essentially mean the same thing. Become a better writer with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Billy Collins, Joy Harjo, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more. When choosing between the homophones “bare” and “bear,” remember that “bare” always relates to being uncovered, while the word “bear” has multiple meanings.