Too Much to Bear vs Too Much to Bare
What’s the difference between them?
Too Much to Bear
Meaning:
Too much to bear means that something is too difficult or painful to endure.
Examples:
1. His heavy burden of guilt was too much to bear.
2. The long wait was too much to bear and she began to cry.
3. The loud noise was too much to bear and she covered her ears.
Too Much to Bare
Meaning:
Incorrect usage of the phrase “too much to bear.”
Examples:
no examples
Learn similar and opposite words to spot the difference
Synonyms
Antonyms
Too Much to Bear
Unbearable
intolerable
There are no direct antonyms for this word.
Too Much to Bare
This word doesn't exist, so there are no synonyms for it.
This word doesn't exist, so there are no antonyms for it.
Tricks for mastery
Useful tips to understand the difference between confusing words "Too Much to Bear", "Too Much to Bare".
1. To remember the difference, think of the phrase 'Bear your burdens' as a reminder that when something is 'too much to bear,' it is too difficult, heavy, or burdensome to carry.
2. The correct phrase is 'too much to bear,' meaning something is too heavy (either literally or figuratively) to endure or carry.
3. 'Too much to bare' is incorrect in standard usage, as 'bare' doesn’t convey a meaning of enduring or carrying.
4. Remember: 'Bears endure, bare is nude.' This helps you recall that 'bear' is related to enduring, while 'bare' is related to being uncovered.
Practice English with the Promova app and avoid misusing confusing words
Frequently asked questions
When to use the first word 'Too Much to Bear'?
The expression 'too much to bear' is used to describe something that is unbearable, too difficult or too painful to manage or cope with. It implies that the person is overwhelmed by the situation and cannot take it anymore. It is usually used in conversations about emotional or physical pain.
When to use the second word 'Too Much to Bare'?
The expression 'too much to bare' is an incorrect version of the phrase 'too much to bear'. It is not used in modern English and should not be used.
Do the words have the same pronunciation?
The words 'too much to bear' and 'too much to bare' have the same pronunciation. Both of them are pronounced as 'too mahch tuh BAIR'.
What are common mistakes associated with words 'Too Much to Bear' and 'Too Much to Bare'?
One of the most common mistakes associated with the phrases 'too much to bear' and 'too much to bare' is using the incorrect word. The correct phrase is 'too much to bear,' and the incorrect phrase is 'too much to bare.' Another mistake is using the phrase to describe something that is not very difficult or challenging. The phrase is meant to describe something that is overwhelming and unbearable.
Fill in the gaps to check yourself
1. The weight of the backpack was simply ___ for the young boy.
2. After the loss of her pet, the sadness felt like it was ___ for her.
3. Hearing the news of another tragedy on the same day was ___ for the community.
4. Realizing he had lost all his savings was ___ for Mr. Smith.
5. She said the heat in the desert was almost ___ during her travels.
6. For some, the pressure of final exams is ___.
1. too much to bear
Explanation: This sentence discusses the physical weight of a backpack, and too much to bear is a way to express that the weight was overwhelming or too heavy to carry for the young boy.
2. too much to bear
Explanation: The emotion of sadness is emphasized in this sentence. The phrase too much to bear describes an overwhelming emotion that is hard to handle or endure.
3. too much to bear
Explanation: This sentence is about the collective emotional impact on a community due to a tragedy. The phrase too much to bear highlights the overwhelming sorrow or shock experienced by the community.
4. too much to bear
Explanation: Losing all savings would be a tremendous emotional and financial blow. Using too much to bear signifies the intense distress Mr. Smith feels about his financial loss.
5. too much to bear
Explanation: In this sentence, the physical hardship caused by extreme heat is described. Saying it was too much to bear conveys that the heat was extremely difficult or unbearable during her travels.
6. too much to bear
Explanation: Final exams can induce a lot of stress and pressure. Describing it as too much to bear underlines the intensity of the pressure some students feel during this time.
Get a gift by subscribing to our newsletter!
Download the PDF with a list of commonly confused words made as flashcards for comfortable learning.
List of Commonly Confused Words
Finding your way around the English language can be hard, especially since there are so many confusing words and rules. So, a list of the most confusing words in English is an extremely useful tool for improving language accuracy and sharing the ideas clearly.