bears a seal

USAGE SUMMARY

'bears a seal' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to describe a document that has been officially authenticated or a product that has some type of certification. For example, "The document bears a seal indicating it has been notarized."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

This bears a seal, and is worn on the wrist for a certain time, fastened by a piece of string.

Cornell University

Authentic Trentino Grappa is made with the fresh pomace (a distillation of grape pulp, skins, seeds and stems) produced in the area and bears a seal from the Istituto di Tutela della Grappa del Trentino.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Just as EcoAds bear a seal that reads "Ads funding environmental projects," EducationAds will carry a seal that reads "Ads funding education projects" and WellnessAds will bear a seal that reads "Ads funding wellness projects".

The New York Times

In covering that story, Booker's reporting took him from Mississippi to the Chicago funeral home where Mamie Till-Mobley decided to open her son Emmett's casket — which arrived nailed shut, and which bore a seal from the state ordering it not to be opened — to let the world see what had been done to him.

The New Yorker

Every loaf is carefully monitored and bears an official seal.

The New York Times - Travel

Each loaf bears an official seal of the region.

The Guardian - Travel

In addition to the traditional postage stamp, it bore a peculiar seal, the brainchild of a Danish postal clerk, Einar Holboll.

The New York Times

Painted to resemble Air Force One, the locomotive bore a presidential seal and Bush's name.

The Washington Post

"You have to be realistic," said Chang of the Government Information Office, whose official seal bears a map of China--Mongolia included.

Los Angeles Times

The cover bears an official-looking seal that says "Government of Pakistan" and a photograph of the father of the Pakistani bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan.

The New York Times

Italian bresaola made by Rigamonti and Negroni are both identified as Bresaola della Valtellina, and each one bears a blue-and-yellow government seal of authenticity.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "bears a seal" when you want to indicate that a document, product, or item has been officially authenticated or approved by an authority. It lends a formal and authoritative tone to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "bears a seal" loosely to describe any decorative sticker or mark. This phrase implies a formal endorsement from a recognized authority, not just any generic emblem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bears a seal" functions as a verb phrase describing the action of something carrying or displaying an official mark. As Ludwig AI also mentions, this indicates authentication or endorsement. It often connects a subject (like a document or product) with its official validation.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

33%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bears a seal" signifies official endorsement or authentication. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and can describe something officially validated. While the phrase appears less frequently nowadays, it maintains a formal tone and is often used in news, academia, and official documentation. It is important to use it correctly to avoid misinterpretations of authority or endorsement. Related phrases such as "carries a seal" or "displays a seal" can serve as suitable alternatives while keeping the intent intact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carries a seal

Replaces the verb "bears" with "carries", maintaining the original meaning with a slight change in wording.

displays a seal

Substitutes "bears" with "displays", emphasizing the visibility of the seal.

features a seal

Replaces "bears" with "features", highlighting the seal as a prominent attribute.

includes a seal

Substitutes "bears" with "includes", indicating the presence of a seal as one of its components.

has a seal

Replaces "bears" with "has", providing a simpler way to express the possession of a seal.

possesses a seal

Replaces the verb "bears" with the more formal verb "possesses", indicating ownership of the seal.

is sealed

Changes the sentence structure to a passive form, focusing on the action of sealing.

is authenticated with a seal

Expands the phrase to explicitly state the purpose of the seal: authentication.

is certified

Implies the presence of a seal through the act of certification, simplifying the expression.

comes with a seal of approval

Emphasizes the seal as a sign of approval or endorsement.

FAQs

What does it mean for something to "bear a seal"?

When something "bears a seal", it means it carries an official mark or emblem indicating authenticity, approval, or certification. This seal typically represents an authority or organization that has verified the item's quality or legitimacy.

What can I say instead of "bears a seal"?

You can use alternatives like "carries a seal", "displays a seal", or "is authenticated with a seal" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say something "bore a seal"?

Yes, "bore a seal" is the past tense of "bears a seal" and is grammatically correct. It indicates that something carried a seal in the past.

How is "bears a seal" different from "has a seal"?

While both phrases indicate the presence of a seal, "bears a seal" suggests a formal or official endorsement, whereas "has a seal" is a more general statement of possession. "Bears a seal" implies the seal is significant for authentication or approval.