bear a mark

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear a mark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has a distinguishing sign or impression (such as a letter or symbol). For example, "This necklace bears a mark of the designer's signature."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Because of these conditions the estimates will bear a mark of "pseudo-estimates", and must be interpreted with this limitation in mind.

European Journal of Epidemiology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

These results clearly show that Brucella OL, in contrast to those of B. pertussis, do not bear a marked PAMP.

Plosone

Those specialized lefty scissors even bore a mark of shame: the green plastic coating around the handle.

The New York Times

Some of the points were shaped into scrapers and awls; others bore a mark where they may have been attached to a shaft and used as spears.

The Washington Post

She signed her agreement with the Devil in blood, bore a mark on her body for her compact, and enchanted by way of charms, ointments, and poppets, doll-like effigies.

The New Yorker

A few figures are known, not all of which are really successful, but "The Lovers," a large, vigorously modelled group existing in two versions, which was probably the work of a French modeller, bears a mark in blue of a trident intersecting a crown, and this has been assigned to Chelsea.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Unlike the ship, the bottle bore a marking.

The New Yorker

Great actors, even those who have been blessed with longevity, often bear a tragic mark.

Los Angeles Times

The structural correlations between metabolic networks from different species bear a clear mark of their evolutionary history.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Many of these bear an anchor mark that purports to be a Chelsea anchor mark, but they are larger and differently placed than the genuine Chelsea anchor.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The apartment, which had three floors and a ballroom, bore a legible mark: not the mark of the group that established itself on Fifth Avenue before the turn of the century but the mark of the next rich group — the group that had established itself off Fifth Avenue, and especially on Park Avenue and Sutton Place, during the nineteen-twenties.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bear a mark", ensure the context clearly defines what type of mark is being referenced and its significance. This avoids ambiguity and strengthens the descriptive impact.

Common error

Avoid constructing sentences where the subject is acted upon by the verb. Instead of "The decision bore a mark of haste", try the more active "The decision marked haste."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear a mark" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where "bear" acts as a transitive verb taking "a mark" as its object. It describes the action of possessing or exhibiting a distinguishing characteristic or sign, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "bear a mark" is a versatile expression used to describe something that exhibits a particular sign or characteristic. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suitability for a variety of contexts, ranging from scientific publications to news articles. When employing this phrase, clarity is key. Clearly defining the type and significance of the mark will enhance the impact and avoid any ambiguity. While alternatives like "carry an emblem" or "exhibit a feature" exist, "bear a mark" provides a direct and effective way to communicate the presence of a distinguishing attribute.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry an emblem

Emphasizes possessing a symbolic representation.

exhibit a feature

Highlights showing a particular attribute or characteristic.

display a symbol

Focuses on presenting a visual representation.

show a sign

Indicates revealing an indication or signal.

possess a characteristic

Highlights the attribute of owning a distinct quality.

have an indication

Emphasizes the act of holding or containing a sign.

present an attribute

Focuses on offering a specific quality.

include a trait

Highlights encompassing a specific characteristic.

reveal a quality

Indicates making a quality known or visible.

reflect a property

Emphasizes mirroring a certain aspect or trait.

FAQs

How can I use "bear a mark" in a sentence?

You can use "bear a mark" to describe something that exhibits a sign, characteristic, or indication. For example, "The antique vase "bears a mark" of its authenticity".

What are some alternatives to "bear a mark"?

Alternatives include "carry an emblem", "exhibit a feature", or "display a symbol", depending on the specific context.

Is "bear a mark" formal or informal?

"Bear a mark" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

Which is correct, "bear a mark" or "bears a mark"?

Both are correct, depending on the subject's number. Use "bear a mark" with plural subjects (e.g., "These documents bear a mark") and "bears a mark" with singular subjects (e.g., "This document "bears a mark"").