To dare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To dare" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing the act of having the courage to do something or to challenge oneself. Example: "To dare to dream is the first step towards achieving your goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To dare is to do is an approximate translation of the Cruyff — and the Martínez — approach.

The New York Times - Sports

"To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily.

Huffington Post

These results show 10%% decrease in throughput for MI-DARE in comparison to DARE.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

She is daring herself to dare.

Huffington Post

On average, the MI-DARE achieves of about 20%% network lifetime prolongation as compared to DARE.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Politicians are unlikely to dare.

The Economist

You have to dare to believe".

The New York Times - Sports

They decided to dare it.

The New Yorker

It has to dare to have character.

Harvard University

It's time to dare and dare again.

The New York Times

You have to dare yourself to watch.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To dare" when you want to emphasize courage or boldness in facing a challenge or taking a risk. It adds a sense of determination and willpower to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "To dare" in situations where the action is already expected or doesn't require significant courage. Overusing it can make your writing sound melodramatic or insincere.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To dare" functions primarily as an infinitive, often used to express willingness to take risks or face challenges. As supported by Ludwig, it sets up a verb and is frequently seen initiating sentences to highlight an action requiring boldness. It can also function as a direct verb, challenging someone.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

23%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "To dare" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to convey courage, challenge, or willingness to take risks. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, academic writing, and scientific publications. While the phrase is generally adaptable, it's important to avoid overusing it in situations where the action doesn't genuinely require boldness. Consider alternative phrases like "to venture" or "to take a chance" for nuanced expression. This guide provides practical insights into using "To dare" effectively in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To venture

Focuses on the aspect of embarking on something risky or uncertain.

To take a chance

Highlights the element of risk and possibility of failure.

To be bold enough

Emphasizes the quality of boldness needed to do something.

To be courageous enough

Stresses the bravery required.

To have the courage

Highlights possessing the inner strength to act.

To risk

Directly points to the act of taking a risk.

To make bold

Focuses on the act of making oneself brave or audacious.

To defy

Implies challenging something or someone, often an authority.

To step up

Focuses on taking initiative and facing a challenge.

To take the plunge

Suggests committing to something decisively, often after hesitation.

FAQs

How can I use "To dare" in a sentence?

You can use "To dare" to express courage or a challenge, as in "To dare to dream is the first step towards achieving your goals" or "I "dare you to" speak your mind".

What phrases are similar in meaning to "To dare"?

Alternatives include phrases like "to venture", "to take a chance", or "to be bold enough", each emphasizing different aspects of courage or risk.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "To dare"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "To dare", especially when used as an infinitive phrase expressing a goal or challenge. For instance, "To dare is to do".

When should I use "To dare" instead of "To try"?

"To dare" should be used when the action involves overcoming fear or taking a significant risk, while "to try" is more general and implies an attempt without necessarily involving courage. "To dare to fail" suggests courage in the face of potential failure, whereas "to try to succeed" simply indicates an attempt to achieve success.