bare (bear) in mind

Writers often type "bare in mind" when they mean "bear in mind." Bear = to carry or hold (figuratively: remember). Bare = uncovered. Use "bear in mind" to mean "remember" or "consider."

Quick answer

Use "bear in mind" to mean "remember" or "keep in consideration." "Bare in mind" is incorrect.

Correct: Please bear in mind that the deadline is tomorrow.
Incorrect: Please bare in mind that the deadline is tomorrow.
Quick check: Substitute "remember" - if it fits, use "bear."

Core explanation: why "bear," not "bare"

"Bear in mind" is an idiom: bear (verb) + in mind (prepositional phrase) = hold in thought. "Bare" means exposed or uncovered and cannot carry that meaning.

bear (verb) = carry, hold, tolerate - e.g., "bear the cost," "bear in mind"
bare (adj./verb) = exposed, uncovered - e.g., "bare skin," "bare the truth"

Wrong: Please bare in mind the deadline is tomorrow.
Right: Please bear in mind the deadline is tomorrow.

Common wrong/right pairs (six quick fixes)

Wrong: Bare in mind the box is fragile.
Right: Bear in mind the box is fragile.
Wrong: Please bare in mind the ingredients if you're allergic.
Right: Please bear in mind the ingredients if you're allergic.
Wrong: Bare in mind we leave at 6 a.m.
Right: Bear in mind we leave at 6 a.m.
Wrong: Please bare in mind the refund policy.
Right: Please bear in mind the refund policy.
Wrong: Bare in mind the room gets cold at night.
Right: Bear in mind the room gets cold at night.
Wrong: Please bare in mind the site is under maintenance.
Right: Please bear in mind the site is under maintenance.

Real usage: work, school and casual examples

Same phrase, different tones. Each pair shows the common error and the correction.

Work - Wrong: Please bare in mind the client requested the revised schedule by Friday.Work -
Right: Please bear in mind the client requested the revised schedule by Friday.
Work - Wrong: Bare in mind that the budget was reduced for Q4.Work -
Right: Bear in mind that the budget was reduced for Q4.
Work - Wrong: Please bare in mind the confidentiality clause before sharing externally.Work -
Right: Please bear in mind the confidentiality clause before sharing externally.
School - Wrong: Students, bare in mind the essay deadline is next Wednesday.School -
Right: Students, bear in mind the essay deadline is next Wednesday.
School - Wrong: Bare in mind that the lab requires safety goggles at all times.School -
Right: Bear in mind that the lab requires safety goggles at all times.
School - Wrong: Please bare in mind the rubric when preparing your presentation.School -
Right: Please bear in mind the rubric when preparing your presentation.
Casual - Wrong: Bare in mind, it's colder tonight - bring a jacket.Casual -
Right: Bear in mind, it's colder tonight - bring a jacket.
Casual - Wrong: Please bare in mind I won't be able to pick you up after work.Casual -
Right: Please bear in mind I won't be able to pick you up after work.
Casual - Wrong: Bare in mind the traffic on Fridays is worse.Casual -
Right: Bear in mind the traffic on Fridays is worse.

Fix your sentence: three ready-to-paste rewrites

If you spot "bare in mind," choose a correction that fits tone and clarity.

Direct replacement: swap "bare" for "bear." - "Please bear in mind that the meeting runs long."
Plain alternative: use "remember" or "keep in mind." - "Remember the meeting may run long."
Formal alternative: use "please note" or "take into account." - "Please note the meeting may run long."

Wrong: Please bare in mind the meeting runs long. →
Rewrite: Please bear in mind that the meeting runs long.
Wrong: Bare in mind the lab rules. → Rewrite (formal): Please note that the lab rules must be followed.
Wrong: Please bare in mind I'm out of office Friday. → Rewrite (casual): Keep in mind I'm out of the office Friday.

Try your own sentence

Read the whole sentence, not just the phrase. Context usually shows whether "remember" fits - if so, use "bear."

Memory trick: quick checks to stop the slip

Two fast shortcuts to catch the error before you send or publish.

Substitution test: Replace the phrase with "remember." If the sentence still works, use "bear."
Visual mnemonic: Picture a bear carrying a thought - bears carry, bare is naked.

Grammar note: transitivity and idiom status

"Bear in mind" is an idiomatic, transitive verb phrase: "bear" takes an object (what you hold in thought). "Bare" cannot function as that verb, so it breaks the idiom.

Structure: bear (verb) + in mind (prepositional phrase) = hold in thought
Treat the phrase as an established verb-don't swap spellings based on sound alone.

Wrong: She tried to bare in mind our suggestions.
Right: She tried to bear in mind our suggestions.

Hyphenation and spacing

Write the phrase as three separate words: "bear in mind." Do not hyphenate or fuse them.

Correct: bear in mind
Incorrect: bear-in-mind, bearinmind

Wrong: Please bear-in-mind the new procedure.
Right: Please bear in mind the new procedure.

Similar mistakes to watch for

Mixing homophones or noun/verb forms is common. Check meaning, not sound.

affect (verb) vs effect (noun/verb) - choose by meaning
breathe (verb) vs breath (noun) - watch verb vs noun
lead (present) vs led (past) - watch tense, not sound
ensure (make certain) vs insure (financial protection) - choose by meaning

Wrong: Please bare in mind and affect the change.
Right: Please bear in mind and effect the change. (effect = bring about)

FAQ

Is "bare in mind" ever correct?

No. "Bare in mind" is not an accepted idiom for "remember" or "consider." Use "bear in mind."

What does "bear in mind" mean?

It means to keep something in your thoughts or to remember it when making a decision.

Why do writers use "bare" by mistake?

They are homophones. Fast typing, unfamiliarity with meanings, or autocorrect can cause the wrong spelling.

Can I replace "bear in mind" with a simpler phrase?

Yes. "Remember," "keep in mind," or "please note" often work better depending on tone and formality.

How can I stop repeating the error?

Use the substitution test: replace with "remember." If it fits, use "bear." Also add a custom spellcheck rule to flag "bare in mind."

Need a fast check?

When editing, paste sentences into your grammar tool or set a rule to flag "bare in mind." A quick check catches homophone slips before you publish.