bear out: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Semi-formal
Quick answer
What does “bear out” mean?
To support, confirm, or provide evidence for a claim, theory, or statement.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To support, confirm, or provide evidence for a claim, theory, or statement.
To prove that someone's account or prediction is true by aligning with facts or subsequent evidence; to lend credibility or substantiation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slightly more common in formal British writing (e.g., parliamentary reports, journalism).
Connotations
Neutral-to-formal in both varieties. Implies a process of verification against evidence.
Frequency
Moderate frequency in both, with a slight edge in UK formal contexts. In US English, 'support,' 'confirm,' or 'validate' are frequent alternatives.
Grammar
How to Use “bear out” in a Sentence
[Evidence/Results] bear out [claim/theory].[Claimant] is borne out by [evidence].It bears out that...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bear out” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Early polls appear to bear out the candidate's lead.
- Her testimony was borne out by CCTV footage.
American English
- The data doesn't bear out your assumption.
- His predictions were borne out by subsequent events.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in reports: 'The quarterly figures bear out our forecast for market growth.'
Academic
Common in research papers: 'The experimental data bears out the proposed model.'
Everyday
Less common; used in discussions: 'The weather forecast wasn't borne out – it didn't rain.'
Technical
Used in legal, scientific, and journalistic contexts to describe evidence alignment.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “bear out”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “bear out”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bear out”
- Incorrect passive: 'The theory was bear out' (correct: 'was borne out'). Using with a person as subject incorrectly: 'I bear out this idea' (sounds odd; evidence bears it out).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The past participle is 'borne out' (e.g., 'The theory was borne out by evidence'). Not 'born out'.
Yes, it is separable. You can say 'The evidence bears the theory out' or 'The evidence bears out the theory.' The pronoun must go in the middle: 'The evidence bears it out.'
'Bear out' often means to provide strong supporting evidence that confirms something, while 'prove' is more absolute and definitive. 'Bear out' suggests alignment with existing facts.
It's possible but less common. In casual speech, people often use simpler words like 'confirm,' 'show,' or 'back up.' 'Bear out' is more typical in writing and formal discussion.
To support, confirm, or provide evidence for a claim, theory, or statement.
Bear out is usually formal, semi-formal in register.
Bear out: in British English it is pronounced /ˌbeər ˈaʊt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌber ˈaʊt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The proof of the pudding is in the eating (related conceptually).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a scientist carrying (bearing) a stack of lab results OUT of the lab to show the world, confirming their theory.
Conceptual Metaphor
EVIDENCE IS A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE (bears the weight of a claim). TRUTH IS ALIGNMENT (facts bear out a story by lining up with it).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'bear out' correctly?