The English language is full of words that sound similar but have different meanings. One common point of confusion is whether to use “borne fruit” or “born fruit.” The correct phrase is “borne fruit,” but let’s explore why.
Understanding “Borne” vs. “Born”
Both borne and born come from the verb “bear,” but they have distinct uses:
1. “Borne” (Past Participle of “Bear”)
- Borne is used when referring to something that has been carried, produced, or brought forth.
- It is typically used in phrases like:
- “Borne in mind” (kept in mind)
- “Airborne” (carried through the air)
- “Borne fruit” (produced results)
2. “Born” (Referring to Birth or Origin)
- Born is used to describe birth, creation, or emergence of something or someone.
- Common examples include:
- “He was born in 1990.”
- “A leader is born.”
- “Born of necessity.”
Since fruit is produced (or carried) by a plant, the correct phrase is “borne fruit,” not “born fruit.”
Why Is “Borne Fruit” Correct?
The phrase “borne fruit” is metaphorical. It means that something has produced results or yielded success, similar to how a tree produces fruit.
Examples of “Borne Fruit” in a Sentence:
✔️ “Her hard work has borne fruit, and she finally got the promotion.”
✔️ “The new business strategy has borne fruit with increased sales.”
✔️ “The scientist’s research has borne fruit in the form of a breakthrough discovery.”
Since we are talking about a process of producing results, “borne” (not “born”) is the correct word.
The correct phrase is “borne fruit,” not “born fruit.” This is because borne relates to something being produced or carried, while born refers to birth or origin. If you want to describe the successful outcome of an effort, always use “borne fruit.”