bear the thought

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear the thought" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to convey a heavy or burdensome feeling about something that has been mentioned. Example: After the accident, I couldn't bear the thought of driving again. Another example: The realization that I may never see my family again was too much to bear the thought of.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"I can't bear the thought of going".

The New York Times

I can't bear the thought of this actually being true.

The New York Times

I couldn't bear the thought of never going back.

The New York Times

He can't bear the thought of going numb.

The New Yorker

They just couldn't bear the thought of its being destroyed.

The New York Times

I could not bear the thought of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

I couldn't even bear the thought of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

Yet he couldn't bear the thought of separation.

The New York Times

"I couldn't bear the thought of not wearing my favoritest dress," she says.

The New York Times - Books

I somehow cannot bear the thought of a friend disliking a gift I'd chosen with sincerity.

The New York Times

I couldn't bear the thought of commuting to New York City, or even answering the phone.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear the thought" to convey strong negative emotions and aversion. It adds weight to your expression when milder alternatives may fall short.

Common error

Avoid using "bear the thought" in situations that require a more neutral or mildly negative expression. Overusing it can diminish its impact, making your writing sound overly dramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the thought" functions primarily as a descriptor of one's emotional or mental inability to accept or tolerate something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used to indicate a strong aversion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Huffington Post

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bear the thought" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase that expresses a strong aversion or inability to accept something. Ludwig's analysis and examples confirm its widespread use in news and media contexts to convey significant discomfort or unwillingness. While "bear the thought" is very common in English and can be used in various contexts, it is important to consider its emotional weight. Alternatives like "tolerate the idea" or "endure the prospect" may be more suitable for less intense situations. Use "bear the thought" when you want to really emphasize how something is unbearable for you.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tolerate the idea

Replaces "thought" with "idea", softening the expression slightly.

handle the idea

Suggests managing or dealing with an idea, rather than simply enduring the thought of it.

endure the prospect

Uses "endure" instead of "bear", suggesting a more prolonged or difficult experience and "prospect" instead of "thought", which implies something anticipated.

cope with the concept

Replaces "bear" with "cope", indicating an attempt to manage or deal with the thought.

stomach the notion

Employs "stomach", which vividly suggests a strong aversion.

countenance the idea

Replaces "bear" with "countenance", indicating a formal way to express acceptance or tolerance.

accept the possibility

Focuses on the acceptance of a potential outcome rather than bearing the mental consideration of it.

face the reality

Highlights the confrontation with an existing truth, differing from merely considering a thought.

entertain the thought

Implies considering or thinking about something, often with a degree of willingness that "bear the thought" lacks.

imagine the scenario

Focuses on visualizing a specific event or situation, rather than processing the underlying thought.

FAQs

How can I use "bear the thought" in a sentence?

Use "bear the thought" to express a strong aversion or inability to accept something. For example, "I can't "bear the thought" of moving to a new city."

What does "bear the thought" mean?

It means to be unable to tolerate or accept a particular idea or possibility. It implies a strong feeling of discomfort or aversion.

What are some alternatives to "bear the thought"?

You can use alternatives such as "tolerate the idea", "endure the prospect", or "stomach the notion" depending on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "bear the thought" in writing?

It's appropriate when you want to emphasize a strong negative reaction or aversion to something. It's suitable for expressing significant discomfort, fear, or unwillingness to consider a particular idea or situation.