What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
suffer
Example
She suffered from a headache all day. [suffered: past tense]
Example
The victims of the hurricane are suffering from lack of food and water. [suffering: present participle]
bear
Example
I can't bear the thought of losing my job. [bear: verb]
Example
The donkey was bearing a heavy load of bricks. [bearing: present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Bear is more commonly used than suffer in everyday language. Bear is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while suffer is less common and often used in medical or emotional contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between suffer and bear?
Both suffer and bear can be used in formal and informal contexts, but suffer may be more appropriate in medical or emotional settings, while bear can be used in a wider range of situations.
