bear
‘bear’
The other forms of bear are bears, bore, borne. However, the past form and -ed participle are rarely used.
If someone bears pain or a difficult situation, they accept it in a brave way.
Boys are encouraged to be tough and bear pain, to prove they're a man.
‘endure’
Endure is used in a similar way.
Many people have to endure pain without specialist help.
‘can’t bear'
Bear is often used in negative sentences. If you can't bear something or someone, you dislike them very much.
I can't bear him!
If you can't bear to do something, you cannot do it because it makes you so unhappy.
She couldn't bear to talk about it.
‘can’t stand'
If you can't stand something or someone, you dislike them very much.
He kept on asking questions and I couldn't stand it any longer.
I can't stand people who lie.
Be careful
Don't say that you ‘can’t stand to do something.
Don't say that you ‘can’t stand to do something.
‘tolerate’ and ‘put up with’
If you tolerate or put up with something, you accept it, although you don't like it or approve of it. Tolerate is more formal than put up with.
The school does not tolerate bad behaviour.
The local people have to put up with a lot of tourists.