building the courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "building the courage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the process of gaining confidence or bravery to face a challenge or difficult situation. Example: "After weeks of hesitation, she finally felt like she was building the courage to speak in front of the large audience."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But building the courage to overcome fear and rejection takes time.

The Guardian - Sport

The Girl Scouts of the USA is a not-for-profit national organization that is a member of the world association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, and is dedicated to building the courage, confidence, and character of girls, to make the world a better place (http://www.girlscouts.org, accessed July 10 , 2009.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I stood back, building up the courage to speak to him.

The Washington Post

"It's almost like he was building up the courage to do it," Cotter said, before acting out Dakotah's interior monologue: "Are you going to do it?

The New Yorker

As du Feu says: "It's a question of councillors building up the courage: doing something, getting positive feedback and then trying something better".

The Guardian

She found Oxford intimidating at first, eventually building up the courage to audition for a play – A Midsummer Night's Dream again.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

There's something extraordinarily touching about the fact that Amis has evidently been building up the courage to write this book for decades and has dutifully done all the background reading to prove it.

The Guardian - Books

The charity's spokesman Richard Lane said: "We believe that more and more victims and witnesses of homophobic attacks are building up the courage to speak to others and report these instances to the police.

The Guardian

For many survivors, particularly within a culture that belittles rape and blames victims, the process of building up the courage to report a sexual offence can be painstaking and terrifying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I wrote about how I was working on building up the courage to share my hopes, dreams and fears with him -- and then asking him to share his.

Huffington Post

But maybe the agency is building its courage for more action.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "building the courage", ensure the context clearly indicates a process of gradual development, not a sudden act of bravery. For example, "building the courage to speak up" implies a period of preparation and mental strengthening.

Common error

Avoid using "building the courage" when describing an instantaneous act of bravery. Instead, use phrases like "showing courage" or "demonstrating bravery" for immediate actions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "building the courage" functions as a verb phrase acting as a gerund, describing the process of developing or acquiring courage. Ludwig indicates that it is used to express the action of gradually becoming more courageous. Examples showcase it within contexts where individuals are overcoming fear or preparing for challenging situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "building the courage" is a grammatically correct and usable expression describing the process of developing bravery or confidence. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriateness in written English. It's commonly found in news, media, scientific and wiki contexts and is suitable for neutral registers. While its frequency is uncommon, using the phrase effectively requires emphasizing the gradual development of courage rather than describing an immediate act. Alternatives such as "cultivating bravery" or "developing fortitude" can provide nuanced variations depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cultivating bravery

Focuses on the gradual development of bravery, similar to building courage.

developing fortitude

Highlights the growth of mental and emotional strength, akin to building inner courage.

fostering resilience

Emphasizes the process of enhancing one's ability to recover from difficulties with courage.

gaining confidence

Focuses on acquiring self-assurance, which is often a component of building courage.

mustering resolve

Highlights gathering determination, related to summoning courage.

strengthening resolve

Emphasizes reinforcing one's determination, paralleling the reinforcement of courage.

developing inner strength

Focuses on enhancing one's psychological and emotional power, essential for facing challenges courageously.

finding strength

Concentrates on locating the internal power needed to act with courage.

summoning bravery

Refers to calling upon one's innate courage when facing difficult situations.

bolstering confidence

Highlights reinforcing confidence which is a part of building courage to act.

FAQs

How can I use "building the courage" in a sentence?

You can use "building the courage" to describe a gradual process of gaining confidence or bravery before facing a challenge. For example, "She spent weeks building the courage to confront her fears."

What are some alternatives to "building the courage"?

Alternatives include phrases like "cultivating bravery", "developing fortitude", or "gaining confidence" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "building up the courage" instead of "building the courage"?

Yes, "building up the courage" is also correct and commonly used. It emphasizes the accumulation of courage over time.

What's the difference between "building the courage" and "having the courage"?

"Building the courage" implies a process of developing bravery, while "having the courage" suggests possessing the bravery needed for a specific situation. You might build the courage over time to eventually have the courage to act.