bear guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

"bear guilt" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone taking responsibility for their wrongdoings. For example, "The defendant was convicted of murder and had to bear guilt for his actions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

There are reasonable questions to ask about the content of training programs in Israel, but the suggestion — absent supporting evidence — that Jews bear guilt for U.S. police killings merely updates the old anti-Semitic trope that falsely accused Jews of managing the global slave trade.

The Washington Post

Two themes mark the protests: one that a dim junior officer is being made to bear guilt that belongs much higher up; the other, that what he did was in the nature of war and that the soldier's life is made impossible if his actions in the stress of battle are to be picked over and dissected afterwards by lawyers and officials.In some ways the wave of sympathy distorts the facts.

The Economist

But Jeff must bear guilt for the sins of his son.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Pillay, who is South African, also condemned Hamas, saying that it, too, bore guilt.

The New Yorker

In practice, also, the crown has had bad constitutional consequences: through the fiction that it can act as a check on the government, it bears guilt by association with the steady centralisation of power in the hands of the prime minister and his cabinet, especially a prime minister with a large majority in the Commons.

The Guardian

How is it I can bear such guilt / but not the laughter of my enemies?

The Guardian - Music

Today's Turks do not bear the guilt of the perpetrators, unless they choose to defend and identify with them.

The New York Times

"My family was very young and I couldn't bear the guilt of leaving them for months.

The Guardian

While apparently uninjured, he may bear the guilt and the nightmares of what occured on a suburban street for years to come.

The Guardian - Opinion

Gov. George W. Bush of Texas, the expected Republican nominee, said last week that post-conviction DNA testing should be used when the results could bear on guilt.

The New York Times

Maurice Robine New York, Feb. 23, 2010 To the Editor: I would like Shannon P. Meehan to know that he does not bear the guilt for the tragic and wrongful deaths of that innocent family alone.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bear guilt", consider the intensity of the emotional burden you want to convey. This phrase is suitable for situations where someone acknowledges responsibility and carries a significant sense of remorse.

Common error

Avoid using "bear guilt" for trivial matters. This phrase implies a heavy emotional weight and is better suited for serious wrongdoings or failures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear guilt" functions as a verb phrase where "bear" acts as a transitive verb taking "guilt" as its object. This structure describes the act of enduring or carrying the weight of culpability. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bear guilt" is a grammatically sound phrase that describes the act of accepting responsibility for a wrongdoing and experiencing the emotional burden associated with it. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not the most frequently used phrase, it effectively conveys a sense of remorse and accountability. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Consider alternatives like "shoulder the blame" or "accept culpability" for slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shoulder the blame

Emphasizes taking responsibility for something negative.

accept culpability

Highlights the act of acknowledging responsibility for wrongdoing.

carry the weight of guilt

Focuses on the emotional burden and lasting impact of guilt.

live with the consequences

Highlights the long-term impact of actions and the acceptance of related outcomes.

take responsibility

Refers to the act of acknowledging and accepting accountability for actions.

be held accountable

Suggests an external assignment of responsibility and potential repercussions.

face the music

Implies confronting the negative outcomes of one's actions.

own up to mistakes

Stresses the importance of openly admitting errors and taking accountability.

be responsible for

Indicates a direct connection and accountability for an event or outcome.

answer for actions

Highlights the need to justify or explain one's conduct.

FAQs

What does "bear guilt" mean?

"Bear guilt" means to accept responsibility for a wrongdoing and experience the emotional burden associated with that responsibility.

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

You can use "bear guilt" to describe someone who is experiencing remorse and taking responsibility for their actions. For example: "After the accident, he had to bear the guilt of his mistake."

What are some alternatives to "bear guilt"?

Alternatives to "bear guilt" include "shoulder the blame", "accept culpability", or "carry the weight of guilt", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "bear guilt" or "feel guilty"?

"Bear guilt" emphasizes the act of carrying the burden of responsibility, while "feel guilty" simply indicates experiencing the emotion. The best choice depends on whether you want to highlight the action or the emotion. Consider also alternatives like "have guilt" or "wear guilt".