bear with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bear with me" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used when one wants to ask the other person to be patient while they explain or address something. Example sentence: Bear with me while I explain the process in greater detail.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But bear with me.

The New York Times

CHENEY: Bear with me.

The New Yorker

Please bear with me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bear with me here.

The Guardian - Opinion

But bear with me ….

MIT Technology Review

Bear with me, though.

The New Yorker

Bear with me, please.

The Guardian - Opinion

Bear with me, here.

The Guardian - Film

So please bear with me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

But bear with me, dear reader.

The New York Times - Arts

Bear with me a moment.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, provide a brief context or reason for needing the audience's patience. This helps them understand why you're asking for it.

Common error

Avoid using "bear with me" excessively in short communications. Frequent use can make you appear unprepared or lacking confidence. Instead, streamline your message or offer concise explanations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bear with me" functions as a request for patience or understanding. It is typically used when the speaker anticipates a lengthy or complex explanation, or when a situation might be confusing for the listener. Ludwig shows that this phrase is mostly used in journalism and in academic writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "bear with me" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that serves as a polite request for patience or understanding. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and indicates frequent usage in news, media, and academic contexts. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it suitable for various professional and semi-formal settings. When using "bear with me", it's best to provide context, avoid overuse, and consider more formal alternatives for highly formal communications. The related phrases provide alternative ways to express the same sentiment, offering flexibility in different situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please be patient

This alternative is a more direct and formal way of asking for patience.

hold on a moment

This phrase suggests a brief pause or delay, suitable for shorter interruptions.

give me a second

This alternative requests a very short delay, often used in informal settings.

just a moment

This alternative requests a very short delay, often used in informal settings.

allow me to explain

This emphasizes the intent to clarify something, implying a need for patience.

let me elaborate

This suggests providing more details and requires the listener's sustained attention.

kindly wait

A more polite and formal way to request someone's patience.

excuse the interruption

This phrase acknowledges an ongoing disruption and asks for understanding.

I crave your indulgence

A very formal and somewhat archaic way of asking for patience.

forgive the delay

This acknowledges a past delay and seeks understanding.

FAQs

How can I use "bear with me" in a sentence?

You can use "bear with me" to ask for someone's patience while you explain something complex, like, "Bear with me as I explain the technical details" or to ask for someones's understanding, like "Bear with me, this may sound strange".

What are some alternatives to "bear with me"?

Instead of "bear with me", you can use phrases like "please be patient", "hold on a moment", or "allow me to explain" depending on the specific context.

Is "bear with me" formal or informal?

"Bear with me" is generally considered neutral in formality. While suitable for many professional settings, it might be too informal for very formal communications. In such cases, "please be patient" or "I crave your indulgence" might be more appropriate.

When is it inappropriate to use "bear with me"?

It is inappropriate to use "bear with me" when you are unprepared or consistently disorganized, as it can convey a lack of professionalism. Similarly, avoid using it excessively, as it may annoy the audience.