Correct spelling, explanation: the correct form is too much to bear. Bear means to endure or tolerate something difficult or unpleasant. When you say something is too much to bear, you are indicating that it is too overwhelming or challenging to endure. Bare means to uncover or expose something. Saying something is too much to bare would imply that it is too much to uncover or reveal, which does not fit the context of enduring difficulty. Therefore, in contexts where you’re referring to enduring or tolerating something, too much to bear is the correct phrase.
Definition of too much to bear:
Expression, used to describe something that is unbearable, too difficult, or too painful to manage or cope with
The grief of losing her beloved pet was too much to bear, and she found herself crying every day.
The weight of his responsibilities at work and home became too much to bear, leading him to take a much-needed break.
Collocations with too much to bear:
Some of the most commonly used collocations include:
1. Too much to bear emotionally: refers to something that is overwhelming from an emotional standpoint.
After the sudden death of her best friend, the grief was too much to bear emotionally.
2. Too much to bear physically: refers to something that is overwhelming from a physical perspective.
The marathon was too much to bear physically for the novice runner.
3. Too much to bear alone: refers to something that is overwhelming when faced without support.
The responsibilities of caring for her sick parents were too much to bear alone.
4. Too much to bear financially: refers to financial burdens that are overwhelming.
The cost of the medical treatment was too much for the family to bear financially.
Incorrect spelling, explanation: the phrase too much to bare is not typically used in the English language, and if it is, it is generally a mistake. The confusion arises because bare and bear are homophones – they sound the same but have different meanings and spellings. Bear means to endure or tolerate something difficult or unpleasant. Bare means to uncover or expose something. Too much to bare does not make sense in the context of enduring or tolerating something. If it were used, it would imply something like too much to uncover or too much to expose, which is not a common or logical usage.
Incorrect spelling
Incorrect spelling
✔ Click to open Free Grammar, Style and Spell Checker
Still not sure?
Ask your question in our comments section below (we reply to all comments within 24 hours)or return to main search.