Certain sets of words in the English language tend to confuse people. I have found the following to be among them:
BARE / BEAR
Since we were young children, we have all been familiar with the word bear used as a noun to mean a large, hairy animal you might come across in the woods, but the verb bear is far more complex — though less dangerous, thank goodness! It can mean carry or support, give birth, produce fruit, or apply or pertain to, among other definitions.
The word bare, on the other hand, when used as a verb, means uncover. So to bear arms means to carry weapons, but to bare arms means to uncover arms.
INCORRECT: I can no longer bare the pain.
CORRECT: I can no longer bear the pain.
INCORRECT: He removed his shirt in order to bear his arms, revealing strong muscles.
CORRECT: He removed his shirt in order to bare his arms, revealing strong muscles.
ALSO CORRECT: Please bear with me while I bare my wound.
© 2018 Ann Henry, all rights reserved.