bear the weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear the weight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the burden or responsibility one has to carry, either literally or metaphorically. Example: "In times of crisis, leaders must bear the weight of their decisions and the impact they have on their teams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tyson couldn't bear the weight.

The New Yorker

She'll bear the weight of growing old.

The New York Times

How does he bear the weight of his own loss?

The Guardian - Books

The best movers, he suggests, bear the weight of their shippers' weaknesses.

The New Yorker

Gusset plates used to join its steel beams weren't muscular enough to bear the weight.

The Washington Post

Today, writers, journalists and liberals bear the weight of responsibility for the future.

The New York Times

At first, the upper layers can still bear the weight of the buildings above them.

The New York Times

Revelation can only bear the weight of significance when people have engaged with it rationally too.

The Guardian - Opinion

Simply put, the craft of acting can't bear the weight of ideas.

The New Yorker

Yet I don't think it can bear the weight Warsh places on it.

The New York Times - Books

Her furniture mash-ups bear the weight of history, so heavy they have been dumbstruck.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the context: Choose "bear the weight" when highlighting endurance under pressure. If you want to highlight responsibilities you can use instead shoulder the responsibility

Common error

Avoid confusing "bear" with "bare". "Bear" means to support or carry, while "bare" means uncovered or exposed. Using "bare the weight" is incorrect; always use "bear the weight" to convey the intended meaning of supporting a load or responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear the weight" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of supporting, enduring, or handling a physical load or a metaphorical burden. Ludwig provides multiple examples showing its use in various contexts, confirming its active role in sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "bear the weight" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe supporting a load, whether physical or metaphorical. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and encyclopedic sources. The phrase is appropriate for neutral settings, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, remember to use "bear" and not "bare", and consider the specific context to determine if alternatives like "shoulder the responsibility" or "carry the burden" might be more fitting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry the burden

Focuses on the negative aspect of weight, emphasizing the difficulty and stress involved.

shoulder the responsibility

Specifically emphasizes the act of taking on and managing responsibilities.

withstand the pressure

Highlights the resistance to external forces rather than the support of a load.

absorb the impact

Emphasizes mitigating the effects of a force, rather than bearing its weight.

handle the load

Focuses on the management and manipulation of a load.

endure the stress

Stresses the lasting through difficult conditions aspect, rather than support.

sustain the force

Highlights the ability to maintain integrity under pressure.

take the strain

Focuses on the effort and difficulty involved in bearing the weight.

support the mass

Specifically refers to providing physical support to a heavy object.

maintain equilibrium

Emphasizes balance and stability, which may involve bearing weight but is not always the primary focus.

FAQs

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

You can use "bear the weight" to describe physically supporting a load, as in "The bridge must "bear the weight" of heavy traffic". It can also refer to handling responsibility or pressure, such as "The president must "bear the weight" of difficult decisions".

What is the difference between "bear the weight" and "carry the burden"?

"Bear the weight" generally implies supporting something, while "carry the burden" suggests enduring a hardship. While there can be overlap, "carry the burden" typically emphasizes the negative impact or emotional toll.

Is it correct to say 'bare the weight' instead of "bear the weight"?

No, "bare the weight" is incorrect. "Bare" means to uncover or expose, while "bear" means to support or carry. The correct phrase is ""bear the weight"".

What are some alternatives to "bear the weight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "shoulder the responsibility", "carry the burden", "withstand the pressure", or "handle the load".