audacity to say

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "audacity to say" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe someone who is incredibly bold in expressing their opinion or making a statement. For example, "She had the audacity to say that she was the best candidate for the job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

I was thinking: how can I have the audacity to say this?

The Guardian

OBAMA (shaking head in disgust): You have the audacity to say I'm "pretending" we're not at war.

The New York Times

He had the audacity to say that applying for a permit to speak was a "complete waste of time".

The Economist

You have to have the audacity to say: 'This is unacceptable' and come up with an alternative".

The Guardian - Arts

I have seen it hundreds of times but I would not have the audacity to say I know what it feels like," he said.

Independent

During the Jeter contract negotiations, Cashman had the audacity to say the Yankee captain should shop around for a better deal.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

Gays got shout-outs from Sen. Hillary Clinton, President Bill Clinton, and Sen. Ted Kennedy in their speeches and during the roll call, the Massachusetts delegation had the audacity to proudly say their state was the first in the nation for marriage equality.

Huffington Post

In an interview with Chris Wallace of Fox News Sunday, the Alaskan rogue had the audacity to claim, "Say [Obama] played the war card.

Huffington Post

Sometimes a lot of the value of a joke is just in the audacity it takes to say it.

Vice

He had the audacity to tour said album and beard around the US.

Independent

If Kidd had the audacity or the prescience to say that his team would win 50 games, "I would probably have gotten drug-tested," he said jokingly.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing the phrase "audacity to say", ensure the context makes it clear that the statement is perceived as shocking, disrespectful, or presumptuous by some individuals or groups.

Common error

Avoid using "audacity to say" in situations where the statement is merely surprising or unexpected, rather than genuinely offensive or presumptuous. The phrase carries a strong negative connotation and should be reserved for truly audacious remarks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "audacity to say" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express disapproval or astonishment at someone's boldness in making a particular statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase implies the statement was presumptuous or inappropriate. Examples found in Ludwig illustrate its usage in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "audacity to say" is a common expression used to convey disapproval or surprise at someone's boldness or impudence in making a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. The expression is most frequently found in News & Media sources, where it serves to highlight the shocking or presumptuous nature of a particular remark. While the phrase is generally neutral, it always carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the statement was inappropriate or disrespectful. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure that the context clearly establishes that the statement is considered shocking or presumptuous by at least some individuals or groups.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

nerve to say

Implies a similar level of boldness, but focuses more on the perceived impudence of the statement.

cheek to say

Highlights the impudence or disrespect conveyed by the statement.

gall to say

Emphasizes the impudence or brazenness of the statement.

temerity to say

Stresses the recklessness or excessive confidence in making the statement.

arrogance to say

Directly points to the overbearing pride implied in the act of speaking.

mouth to say

Suggests a presumptuousness or lack of respect when voicing the statement.

forehead to say

Indicates extreme shamelessness or effrontery.

grit to say

Focuses on the courage or resolve needed to express the statement, often in challenging situations.

venture to say

Indicates that the speaker is taking a risk by expressing the statement.

bravery to say

Implies courage in expressing a potentially unpopular or controversial opinion.

FAQs

How can I use "audacity to say" in a sentence?

You can use "audacity to say" to express shock or disapproval at someone's bold or presumptuous statement. For example, "He had the "audacity to say" that the project was a failure, despite all the hard work everyone put in".

What's a less formal way to express "audacity to say"?

Less formal alternatives include "nerve to say", "cheek to say", or even just emphasizing the surprising nature of the statement. For example, instead of "He had the "audacity to say" that", you could say "He had the "nerve to say" that", or "Can you believe he said that?!".

Is "audacity to say" always negative?

Yes, "audacity to say" typically carries a negative connotation, implying that the statement was inappropriate, disrespectful, or overly bold. If you intend to convey admiration for someone's courage, phrases like "bravery to say" or "boldness to say" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "audacity to say" and "courage to say"?

"Audacity to say" emphasizes the perceived inappropriateness or presumptuousness of the statement, while "courage to say" highlights the bravery in expressing a potentially unpopular or controversial opinion. The former often carries disapproval, while the latter conveys admiration.