Bore vs. Borne
“Bore” is the simple past of “bear,” while “borne” is its usual past participle in senses such as carrying, supporting, or enduring. Birth expressions conventionally use “born,” so that exception remains explicit.
Use “bore” for the simple past of “bear” and “borne” for the past participle in most non-birth senses. Birth expressions normally use “born.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| simple past of bear | bore | use “bore” |
| past participle of bear in carrying/enduring/supporting senses | borne | use “borne” |
| birth expressions | born | use the conventional birth form |
Quick tests
Verb-form test
Do you need a simple past form or a past participle?
If yes: Use “bore” for simple past.
If no: Use “borne” after an auxiliary in most non-birth senses; use “born” for birth.
Caveat: Do not transfer the birth exception to unrelated senses of “bear.”
Examples
The bridge bore the load for decades.
“Bore” is the simple past.
The cost has been borne by the supplier.
“Borne” is the past participle in a non-birth sense.
She was born in May.
Birth expressions conventionally use “born.”
Further guidance
Birth Boundary
Do not extend “borne” into the normal birth construction: English conventionally uses “born,” as in “She was born in June.”
Core difference
“Bore” is the simple-past form of “bear”; “borne” is the usual past participle outside the special birth use of “born.”
Fast Test
For a standalone past action of “bear,” use “bore.” After have/has/had, use “borne” unless the meaning is the conventional birth expression that takes “born.”
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Bear — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Meanings of bear including carry, support, tolerate, and the animal