bear to see

USAGE SUMMARY

Sentence.
The expression "bear to see" is not a phrase commonly used in written English and could potentially confuse the reader. If you would like to express the idea of being able to tolerate something, you could use the phrase "able to bear" instead. For example, "She was able to bear the sorrow of losing her beloved pet."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Therefore, neither of us could bear to see it again.

The New Yorker

I just couldn't bear to see it go".

The New York Times

Bauman could not bear to see the photo now.

The New York Times - Sports

We cannot bear to see these collapsed buildings any longer.

The New York Times

Nor could he bear to see her struggle.

The Guardian - Arts

I'm not sure I can bear to see it.

The New York Times

"I can't bear to see it," she said.

The New York Times - Style

We cannot bear to see our leader humiliated".

The New York Times

He could not bear to see his reflection in the mirror.

The New Yorker

"I couldn't bear to see the lights go out in London again".

The New York Times

Small stuff, but he couldn't bear to see something he couldn't have.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bear to see" to convey a sense of emotional distress or aversion to witnessing something. This works well in narrative or descriptive contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "bear to see" in formal reports or academic papers. It leans towards informal language and might not convey the intended meaning with sufficient precision. Instead, opt for more formal alternatives like "tolerate" or "endure".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear to see" functions as a verbal expression indicating an inability or unwillingness to tolerate witnessing something. This expression commonly conveys emotional distress or aversion, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples where individuals "couldn't bear to see" suffering or unpleasant situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear to see" is a common expression used to convey an inability or unwillingness to tolerate witnessing something, often due to emotional distress. Ludwig AI indicates that while it may not be grammatically perfect, its widespread use, particularly in news and media, makes it acceptable in many contexts. While commonly encountered and broadly accepted, more formal alternatives may be suitable for academic or professional writing. When using "bear to see", consider its emotional impact and the register of your writing to ensure it aligns with your intended message. Overall, it's a useful phrase for expressing aversion or distress related to visual experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tolerate seeing

Focuses on the capacity to endure the act of seeing something.

stand to watch

Emphasizes the inability to watch something happen or continue.

endure watching

Highlights the suffering experienced while watching something.

stomach seeing

Implies finding something visually repulsive or difficult to accept.

face seeing

Underlines the difficulty of confronting a visual experience.

bring oneself to watch

Focuses on the struggle to find the will to watch something.

put up with watching

Suggests reluctantly accepting the need to watch something.

hack seeing

Implies being able to tolerate something.

brook seeing

Focuses on objecting to seeing something.

swallow seeing

Highlights the struggle to accept a visual.

FAQs

What does "bear to see" mean?

The phrase "bear to see" means to be able to tolerate watching something, often implying emotional distress or aversion. It suggests a difficulty in enduring a particular sight or situation.

What are some alternatives to "bear to see"?

You can use alternatives like "tolerate seeing", "stand to watch", or "endure watching" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "bear to see"?

While "bear to see" is widely used, Ludwig AI reports that it may not be considered grammatically perfect. However, it is commonly used in media and understandable, making it acceptable in many contexts.

How can I use "bear to see" in a sentence?

You might say, "I couldn't "bear to see" the animals suffer", to express your inability to tolerate the sight of suffering animals. Remember that it's best used in informal or narrative writing.