Conjugation of "Bear" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage
to carry something; to support or hold up weight
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All 12 Tenses of "Bear"
Quick reference table — every tense form of "bear" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.
| Tense | Example (I) | Quick rule |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | I bear |
Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule → |
| Simple Past | I bore |
Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule → |
| Simple Future | I will bear |
Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule → |
| Present Continuous | I am bearing |
Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule → |
| Past Continuous | I was bearing |
Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule → |
| Future Continuous | I will be bearing |
Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect | I have born/borne |
Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect | I had born/borne |
Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect | I will have born/borne |
Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule → |
| Present Perfect Continuous | I have been bearing |
Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule → |
| Past Perfect Continuous | I had been bearing |
Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule → |
| Future Perfect Continuous | I will have been bearing |
Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule → |
Past Tense of "Bear" — Bore
The past simple of "bear" is "bore". Use it for completed actions at a specific past time. Because "bear" is irregular, "bore" is not formed by adding -ed — you have to memorize this form. See our simple past tense guide for a deeper explanation of the simple past.
Past Participle of "Bear" — Borne
The past participle of "bear" is "borne". Use it after "have/has/had" for the perfect tenses ("I have borne"), and after "be" for passive constructions ("It was borne"). Because "bear" is irregular, "borne" is not the same as the past simple — students often confuse the two forms.
Is "Bear" Regular or Irregular?
"Bear" is an irregular English verb. Its principal parts are: base form "bear", past simple "bore", and past participle "borne". The 3rd-person singular present is "bears" and the present participle/gerund is "bearing". Conjugation pattern: strong verb: bear-bore-borne.
Conjugation pattern: strong verb: bear-bore-borne
How to Pronounce "Bear" and Its Forms
Bear: /beər/ — Stress pattern: O
Rhymes with 'care' and 'share'. The vowel is /eə/ (air sound), not /ɛ/ (short e) like 'bed'.
Common mispronunciation of "bear"
Learners sometimes pronounce it like 'beer' /bɪər/ instead of 'bear' /beər/. The vowels sound different.
How to Use "Bear" — Common Grammar Patterns
Use 'bear' in formal or written contexts. 'Carry' is more common in everyday speech for moving objects.
S + bear + noun (direct object)S + bear + responsibility/cost
Example Sentences with "Bear" in Different Tenses
- Simple Present: The bridge must bear the weight of heavy trucks. B1
Common Collocations with "Bear"
- bear the cost
- bear responsibility
- bear witness
- bear arms
- bear a resemblance
When to Use "Bear" vs Similar Verbs
"bear" vs "bare"
'Bare' means naked or uncovered; 'bear' means to carry or a large animal.
Smart synonyms — when to use each one
- carry — for physically moving something from one place to
- support — when the emphasis is on holding weight or
- endure — when it means tolerate or withstand suffering
Common Mistakes with "Bear"
-
Wrong: She bear often.
Correct: She bears often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).
Origin and Etymology of "Bear"
Old English 'beran', from Proto-Germanic *beran meaning to carry or bear
Other Forms of "Bear"
- Noun: bearing
Conjugation Tables for "Bear"
Negative Forms
- Simple present: I do not bear · He does not bear
- Simple past: I did not bear · She did not bear
- Present perfect: I have not borne · He has not borne
Question Forms
- Simple present: Do you bear? · Does he bear?
- Simple past: Did you bear?
- Present perfect: Have you borne?
Passive Voice (where applicable)
- Simple present passive: It is borne
- Simple past passive: It was borne
- Present perfect passive: It has been borne
Frequently Asked Questions About "Bear"
- Is "bear" regular or irregular?
- "bear" is an irregular verb. Its past simple is "bore" and past participle is "born/borne". You must memorize these forms.
- What is the past tense of "bear"?
- The simple past of "bear" is "bore".
- What's the difference between the past simple and past participle of "bear"?
- The past simple is "bore" and the past participle is "born/borne". Use past simple for completed past actions ("I bore yesterday"). Use past participle with have/has ("I have born/borne").