bear weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear weight" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a phrase that means to sustain or support a burden or load. For example: "The bridge is built to bear the weight of heavy trucks."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was unable to bear weight on his right leg.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Half of the animals were allowed to bear weight freely (WB) while the remaining animals were made non-weight-bearing via a through-knee amputation (NWB).

Journal of Orthopaedic Research

It hurt to much to bear weight on it.

Harvard University

If it's the leg or foot, see if they can bear weight.

Harvard University

For a bear, weight is not unattractive, or unhealthy, as far as anyone knows.

The New York Times - Science

Kittles will not be able to bear weight on his leg for an extended period before undergoing arduous rehabilitation.

The New York Times - Sports

In yoga, though, there are many poses in which the hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders do bear weight.

The New York Times

Severe pain, swelling, bruising, or inability to bear weight are "alert" symptoms that could indicate serious injury to a bone or ligaments.

Harvard University

Grade III (severe) — The ligaments are completely torn, so the foot may be unstable and no longer able to bear weight.

Harvard University

She had a complex medical history, including a reported bone cement allergy, and presented to the hospital unable to bear weight.

Arthroplasty Today

Patients were encouraged to bear weight as tolerated.

Strategies in Trauma and Limb Reconstruction

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a patient's recovery, use "bear weight as tolerated" to indicate they are gradually increasing the amount of weight they place on an injured limb.

Common error

Avoid using "bear weight" when you actually mean to convey emotional stress or responsibility. Use alternatives like "shoulder the burden" or "carry the weight" for those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear weight" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "bear" acts as a transitive verb meaning to support or endure, and "weight" is the direct object. Ludwig examples confirm this usage in both literal (physical support) and figurative (enduring pressure) contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

Academia

22%

News & Media

19%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bear weight" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that means to support a load or endure pressure. Ludwig AI confirms its validity in written English. This phrase is commonly found in scientific, academic, and news contexts, with a neutral formality level. It is often used in medical contexts to describe a patient's ability to stand or put pressure on an injured limb. While versatile, it is important to avoid using "bear weight" when describing emotional burdens, for which alternatives like "shoulder the burden" are more appropriate. Remember, it's all about context. The phrase is very versatile and can be used in a large number of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take the weight

Similar to "bear weight" but puts more emphasis on actively receiving the load.

support the weight

Emphasizes the physical act of preventing something from collapsing under its own heaviness.

support a load

Focuses on the act of physically holding or sustaining something heavy.

sustain pressure

Emphasizes the ability to withstand force or stress without breaking.

handle the load

Indicates managing or dealing with something burdensome or difficult.

withstand the strain

Focuses on resisting the effects of tension or pressure.

tolerate the weight

Suggests accepting or putting up with the burden, even if it's unpleasant.

endure responsibility

Shifts the meaning to the capacity to handle obligations and duties.

carry the burden

Implies a heavy emotional or figurative load that must be managed.

shoulder the responsibility

Highlights taking on accountability and being responsible for something.

FAQs

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

You can use "bear weight" to describe the ability to support a load, as in "The structure is designed to "bear weight" safely" or in the context of a person's ability to stand, as in "After surgery, the patient was unable to "bear weight" on their leg".

What does it mean to "bear weight" in a medical context?

In a medical context, "bear weight" refers to the ability of a person to stand or put pressure on a limb or joint without pain or instability. The ability to "bear weight" is often used to assess recovery after an injury or surgery.

What are some alternatives to "bear weight"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "support a load", "sustain pressure", or "handle the load". In a medical context, you might say "tolerate pressure".

When is it appropriate to use "bear weight" versus "carry weight"?

"Bear weight" typically refers to supporting weight in a static or structural sense, or in the context of physical ability. "Carry weight", on the other hand, more often refers to the act of transporting something or, metaphorically, shouldering responsibility. For example, a bridge "bears weight", while a person "carries weight".