"Borne out" is a phrase that refers to the confirmation or substantiation of a fact, theory, or belief after it has been tested or investigated. It indicates that evidence or experience has supported or validated an initial assumption or statement. For example, if someone says that a prediction about weather patterns was "borne out," it means that subsequent weather events have confirmed the accuracy of that prediction. The phrase emphasizes the process of verification through practical evidence or outcomes.
In short:
"Borne out" refers to the process by which ideas, theories, predictions, or assumptions are validated or confirmed by subsequent events or evidence. The term "borne" is the past participle of "bear," meaning to carry or to support. Therefore, when something is "borne out," it is supported or upheld by evidence. This phrase is used across various fields, including science, finance, and daily conversation, to indicate that further evidence has supported an initial idea or expectation.
More about the phrase's meaning:
The phrase "borne out" originates from the verb "bear," which has many meanings, including to carry, support, and endure. The use of "borne" in this context refers to the idea of carrying the weight of proof or substantiation. Historically, the term has been used in legal, scientific, and literary texts to describe the process of supporting claims or hypotheses with evidence. The exact origin of the phrase is difficult to pinpoint due to the broad and long-standing use of the verb "bear" in the English language, but its usage in the sense of confirmation or substantiation is well-established in written records dating back centuries.
Here are some examples to illustrate how "borne out" can be used in different contexts:
This phrase is less commonly highlighted in pop culture than in academic or professional discourse. However, it can be found in documentaries, news reports, and non-fiction works that discuss the verification of theories or predictions over time.
Let's look at some examples:
Here are some alternative phrases that express the same idea:
"Borne out" means that something has been confirmed or substantiated by evidence or results.
Yes, "borne out" is often used in formal contexts, especially in academic, scientific, and professional discussions.
While it is more common in formal contexts, "borne out" can also be used in everyday conversation to describe situations where expectations or predictions are confirmed.
"Borne out" and "proven" are similar, but "borne out" emphasizes the process of being supported by evidence, while "proven" directly indicates that evidence has demonstrated something to be true.
Yes, "borne out" can refer to both positive and negative outcomes, depending on the nature of the initial assumption or prediction.
You can use "borne out" to indicate that subsequent evidence or results have confirmed an initial belief or theory, e.g., "The success of the strategy was borne out by the company's growth."
No, "borne out" can be related to any type of evidence or outcomes, not just scientific evidence.
Yes, "borne out" is used in legal contexts to describe how evidence supports or does not support a case or argument.
A synonym for "borne out" that implies stronger evidence might be "conclusively proven" or "unequivocally substantiated."
No, "borne out" has the same meaning in both British and American English, referring to the confirmation of something through evidence or outcomes.
The phrase "borne out" is important in proving and confirming ideas, connecting a guess and proven truth. It's useful in school, work, and personal situations, allowing people to clearly state how evidence or results have backed up what they previously thought or said.
To recap: