apparent bravery

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "apparent bravery" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone's bravery seems evident or obvious, but may not necessarily be genuine or deeply felt. Example: "Despite the chaos around him, his apparent bravery inspired others to stand firm in the face of danger."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Kirkpatrick's apparent bravery in the face of no one noticing the website's problems is the lead anecdote in a New York Times piece by Ashley Parker, documenting the way various Democrats, facing tight reelection campaigns, are hedging their Obamacare bets by making sure that everyone knows they weren't happy with the way the website choked on launch.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

What they did was absorb all their opponents had and when any opportunity became apparent, they attacked it with bravery and commitment.

Independent

In many ways The Casual Vacancy is an ambitious and brave book, but it never lives up to its lofty ambitions, and Rowling's bravery doesn't become apparent until the very end.

Independent

In June, Zulu Nation issued a public statement, apologizing to Savage and other "survivors of apparent sexual molestation by Bambaataa," praising the alleged victims for their "bravery," and announcing the removal of several longtime leaders, including Bambaataa.

Vice

And yet, despite the bravery of DeCouture, Seth, and the many others who spoke out anonymously, the apparent hubris of Jian Ghomeshi is extraordinary.

Vice

And yet, despite the bravery of DeCouture, Seth, and the many others who spoke out anonymously, the apparent hubris of Ghomeshi is extraordinary.

Vice

Bravery, fine.

The New Yorker

In bravery.

The New Yorker

Bravery, too.

The Guardian - Sport

The bravery!

The Guardian - Travel

Bravery was praised.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "apparent bravery" when you want to suggest that someone's courage might not be as deep or genuine as it seems. It implies a discrepancy between outward appearance and inner feeling.

Common error

Avoid using "apparent bravery" when you genuinely want to praise someone's courage. The word "apparent" introduces an element of doubt or skepticism.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "apparent bravery" functions as a noun phrase where "apparent" modifies the noun "bravery". Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct. It typically serves to describe courage that is visible or perceived, but not necessarily genuine.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "apparent bravery" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe courage that is outwardly visible but potentially not deeply felt. As Ludwig AI indicates, the term suggests a possible difference between appearance and reality. It is most frequently used in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, be mindful of its implication and consider alternative phrases like "seeming courage" if you intend to express pure admiration without any skepticism.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

seeming courage

Focuses on the outward appearance of courage, implying it might not be genuine.

ostensible bravery

Highlights the declared or presented bravery, suggesting a possible difference between appearance and reality.

superficial courage

Emphasizes that the courage is only on the surface and lacks depth.

outward courage

Stresses the externally visible signs of bravery.

professed valor

Highlights bravery that is claimed or declared, potentially without proof.

visible courage

Focuses on courage that is easily seen or noticed.

assumed bravery

Suggests that bravery is presumed or taken for granted, possibly without solid evidence.

claimed courage

Emphasizes that the courage is asserted or stated, but not necessarily proven.

surface valor

Highlights the superficial nature of the displayed valor.

manifested bravery

Focuses on the demonstrated or exhibited acts of bravery.

FAQs

How can I use "apparent bravery" in a sentence?

You can use "apparent bravery" to describe someone whose courage seems obvious, but may not be entirely genuine. For example, "Despite the chaos, his "apparent bravery" calmed the crowd".

What's the difference between "apparent bravery" and genuine bravery?

"Apparent bravery" refers to outward displays of courage that may or may not reflect true inner feelings. Genuine bravery, on the other hand, stems from deep-seated courage and conviction.

Are there situations where using "apparent bravery" might be inappropriate?

Yes, avoid using "apparent bravery" when you want to sincerely commend someone's courage. The term implies a level of skepticism or doubt that may undermine your praise.

What are some alternative phrases to "apparent bravery"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "seeming courage", "outward courage", or "professed valor".