please bear with me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'please bear with me' is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to politely ask someone to be patient with you while you take your time to do something, such as take a few extra moments to think of a response. For example, you could say: "Please bear with me while I take a few moments to think about my response."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

It's a long story, especially for a blog post, but please bear with me.

The New York Times

Forgive the contrariness of kicking off a steak restaurant review with a glum piety, but please, bear with me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That naturally involved a great many delays, postponements, overrides and a passionate if incomprehensible speech by Bond, the highlight of which was: "Please bear with me.

The New York Times

("Please bear with me. I need to do this. Fuck you, you fucking motherfucker! You have been sucking my blood and irritating my skin for fucking months now! I fucking hate you!

The New Yorker

But please, bear with me, long enough to consider that there might be other possible angles on a television programme watched by more than 100 million people a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Before you all start spluttering that tofu is a "beige blubber" with the "texture and disposition of a particularly upbeat sponge" (tip of the hat to Nigel Slater and the New York Times respectively), please bear with me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The foundation has posted a lachrymose farewell on its website: "Please bear with us as we move though this difficult time of grief and regain our composure.

The Guardian

If you're queueing to get into the site, please bear with us and follow instructions from signage and traffic managers".

The Guardian - Music

As a priority we are contacting customers due to travel tomorrow and ask those travelling later in the week to please bear with us as we manage this evolving situation".

The Guardian

Within a very short time our bills will be mailed promptly the first of each month; in the meantime, will you please bear with us?" View Article By Rivka Galchen By Malcolm Gladwell By David Remnick By Jelani Cobb.

The New Yorker

Look – please bear with Jess – hate to be the one lifting the taboo, but I strongly feel that if the science says women are going to have serious cognitive issues for 15 years – sorry, excuse me, no I don't mean to talk over you, Amal, thanks, in a second, Sarah – but I have been researching this.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please bear with me", briefly explain why you need their patience to set expectations and show consideration.

Common error

Avoid using "please bear with me" excessively, as it can sound insincere or suggest a constant state of unpreparedness. Instead, focus on proactive solutions and clear communication to minimize the need for such requests.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please bear with me" functions as a polite request for patience. It acknowledges that the speaker anticipates a delay, difficulty, or potential inconvenience and asks the listener to be understanding during that time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard way to ask for patience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please bear with me" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase to politely ask for someone's patience. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability and widespread usage. It is particularly prevalent in news and media contexts, though applicable across various registers, typically leaning towards neutral or slightly formal tones. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse and ensure genuine reasons for requesting patience. Alternatives like "please be patient" or "please excuse the delay" can be used for variety or to match specific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

please be patient

This is a more direct request for patience, without necessarily implying a delay or difficulty.

kindly be patient

Adds a touch more formality and politeness.

please excuse the delay

Focuses specifically on a delay that may be occurring.

please wait a moment

Suggests a short pause is needed.

please allow me some time

Asks for time to complete a task or process.

please understand

Asks for comprehension of a potentially difficult situation.

i crave your indulgence

More formal and exaggerated way of asking for patience.

i hope you'll understand

Expresses hope that the other person will be understanding.

please give me a chance

Asks for an opportunity to improve or complete a task.

hold on a moment

An informal way of asking someone to wait briefly.

FAQs

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

You can use "please bear with me" to politely request someone's patience. For example, "Please bear with me while I gather the necessary information".

What's a more formal alternative to "please bear with me"?

A more formal alternative could be "I crave your indulgence", which is suitable for very formal or professional settings.

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

It might be inappropriate to use "please bear with me" if the delay or inconvenience is excessive or due to a lack of preparation on your part. In such cases, a direct apology and explanation might be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "please bear with me" when asking someone to wait briefly?

Alternatives like "please wait a moment" or "hold on a moment" are suitable when you need only a short pause.