bore a son

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "bore a son" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of childbirth, specifically to indicate that a woman has given birth to a male child. Example: "After years of waiting, she finally bore a son, bringing joy to the family."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

I bore a son.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

She bore a son: her father knew it not.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In 1914 she married and later she bore a son.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Before the succession could be effected, however, his wife bore a son (1465), whom she demanded be made the heir.

Britannica

"All this talk about the Protestant work ethic, but he made his money the old-fashioned way: his mother bore a son".

The New Yorker

In this aim he failed, for Marie-Caroline de Bourbon-Sicile, duchesse de Berry, seven months later bore a son, whom the royalists hailed as "the miracle child".

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

A virgin will bear a son.

Yale University

She did bear a son, and she kept her vow.

Britannica

Now it is a virgin who "shall conceive and bear a son".

Encyclopedia Britannica

John Murray IV's daughter, Dorothy, had borne a son named John Jockk" Arnaud Robin Grey in 1909.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some Japanese assume that her unhappiness stems from ongoing pressure by imperial-household officials to bear a son.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "bore a son" in historical contexts, consider the implications of lineage and inheritance, as the birth of a male heir often had significant social and political ramifications.

Common error

Avoid using "bore a son" in contemporary contexts where simpler alternatives like "had a son" or "gave birth to a son" sound more natural. "Bore a son" can sometimes feel overly formal or antiquated.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "bore a son" functions as a verbal phrase, where "bore" is the past tense of "bear" and "son" is the direct object. Ludwig confirms that it indicates the action of giving birth to a male child. It's used to express the event of childbirth, specifically the birth of a male offspring.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

23%

News & Media

23%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "bore a son" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression denoting the act of a woman giving birth to a male child. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it's most frequently encountered in encyclopedias, news media, and academic texts, lending itself to formal and neutral registers. While correct, using simpler alternatives like "gave birth to a son" or "had a son" is often preferred in contemporary settings. It's important to consider the historical or literary context when using this phrase, as the birth of a son frequently carries implications related to lineage and inheritance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gave birth to a son

Emphasizes the act of childbirth more directly.

had a son

A simpler and more common way to express the same idea.

produced a male heir

Highlights the son's role as an heir, often in historical or royal contexts.

brought forth a son

A more formal or archaic way of saying "gave birth to a son".

delivered a son

Focuses on the act of delivery.

mothered a son

Emphasizes the mother's role.

sired a son

Focuses on the father's role (though grammatically incorrect in the context of a woman).

fathered a son

Focuses on the father's role in procreation.

brought a son into the world

A more descriptive and evocative way to express the birth of a son.

spawned a son

Informal; not often used, sometimes humorous.

FAQs

What is a more common way to say "bore a son"?

More common alternatives include "gave birth to a son" or simply "had a son", which are generally preferred in modern English.

Is "bore a son" formal or informal?

"Bore a son" tends to be more formal and somewhat archaic. In everyday conversation, "had a son" is more appropriate. However, in historical or literary contexts, "bore a son" might be preferred for its stylistic effect.

Can I use "bore a son" to describe modern births?

While grammatically correct, using "bore a son" in contemporary contexts might sound unusual. Opt for more common phrases like "gave birth to a son" to maintain a natural tone.

What's the difference between "bore a son" and "produced a son"?

"Bore a son" specifically refers to the act of giving birth. "Produced a son" can sometimes refer to producing a male heir in a more abstract or figurative sense, emphasizing lineage or succession, rather than just the physical act of childbirth.