Bear with me through all this vs Hold on

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Bear with me through all this

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Hold on

Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Hold on
 Bear with me through all thisHold on
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //bɛə wɪð miː θruː ɔːl ðɪs//🇺🇸 //bɛr wɪð mi θru ɔl ðɪs//🇬🇧 //həʊld ɒn//🇺🇸 //hoʊld ɑn//
MeaningPlease be patient with me.Wait a moment
ExampleCan you bear with me through all this paperwork I need to complete?Please hold on while I check the information.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)
Collocationsbear with me, bear with us, please bear with me, to bear with someone, bear with me for a momenthold on a second, hold on tight, hold on the line
Antonyms-rush, hurry, advance
Common mistakesSaying 'bare with me' instead of 'bear with me'., Using it in a way that sounds demanding rather than polite., Confusing it with 'bear' meaning to carry something.Confused with 'hold up' which means to delay, Using it in very formal contexts where 'please wait' is better, Not using it as a standalone phrase
Usage notesUsed when asking someone to be patient while you explain something or sort out a situation. Appropriate in most situations, but may sound informal in very formal contexts.Use 'hold on' when asking someone to wait briefly. It's appropriate in casual conversations but can be used in more formal situations as well. Avoid in very formal writing.

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Bear with me through all this
Hold on

Frequently asked questions: Bear with me through all this vs Hold on

What's the difference between Bear with me through all this and Hold on?

Bear with me through all this: Please be patient with me. Hold on: Wait a moment

Which is more common: Bear with me through all this and Hold on?

Hold on is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Bear with me through all this: Can you bear with me through all this paperwork I need to complete? Hold on: Please hold on while I check the information.

Can I use Bear with me through all this and Hold on interchangeably?

Not always. Bear with me through all this and Hold on are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.

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