Bear with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Bear with me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to be patient or to wait for a moment while you handle something. Example: "I need to gather some information before we proceed, so please bear with me for a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Bear with me, though.

The New Yorker

Bear with me, please.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bear with me, here.

The Guardian - Film

Bear with me on this.

The Guardian

"Bear with me," he says.

The New York Times

"Bear with me," he told his audience.

The New York Times

Bear with me as I explain.

The New York Times - Food

Bear with me on that one.

The Guardian - Sport

Bear with me on this one.

The Guardian - Books

Bear with me; this may get confusing.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bear with me while I puzzle this through.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Bear with me" when you need a moment to collect your thoughts, explain a complex idea, or transition between topics smoothly. It sets a tone of collaboration and understanding with your audience.

Common error

While useful, relying too heavily on "Bear with me" can make your communication sound hesitant or unprepared. Vary your language with alternatives like "Please be patient" or "Allow me to explain" to maintain a confident and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Bear with me" serves as a request for patience or understanding from the listener or reader. It is typically used when the speaker anticipates a complex explanation, a slight digression, or a need for a brief delay. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Bear with me" is a common and grammatically correct way to ask for patience or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, it is suitable for use in written English and it signals that the speaker is aware of a potential inconvenience and is proactively seeking the listener's cooperation. While most frequently encountered in News & Media, its usage spans various contexts, though formal settings might warrant more elevated alternatives. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding hesitant and consider alternative phrases like "please be patient" or "allow me a moment".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Please be patient

More direct and formal request for patience.

Kindly wait a moment

A polite request to wait, emphasizing courtesy.

Hold on a second

An informal way to ask someone to wait briefly.

Allow me a moment

Focuses on needing a brief period of time to do something.

Give me a minute

Requests a short amount of time to complete a task.

Please indulge me

Asks for leniency or patience while the speaker digresses or explains something.

I crave your indulgence

Formal request for patience, often used when anticipating a lengthy explanation.

Excuse my digression

Acknowledges a departure from the main topic and asks for understanding.

Hear me out

Requests the listener to listen fully before judging or interrupting.

Stay with me

Encourages the listener to maintain focus and understanding during an explanation.

FAQs

How can I use "Bear with me" in a sentence?

"Bear with me" is used to ask for someone's patience or understanding, typically before explaining something complex or asking them to wait. For example, "Bear with me as I explain the details of the project".

What can I say instead of "Bear with me"?

You can use alternatives such as "please be patient", "allow me a moment", or "kindly wait a moment" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "Bear with me" in formal writing?

While "Bear with me" is widely understood, it can sound slightly informal. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "Please allow me to elaborate" or "Your patience is appreciated".

What's the difference between "Bear with me" and "Stay with me"?

"Bear with me" asks for patience, often when explaining something complex. "Stay with me", on the other hand, encourages the listener to remain focused and attentive throughout the explanation.