dare I add

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dare I add" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express hesitation or boldness in adding something to a statement or argument. Example: "The project has been a success, and dare I add, it has exceeded all our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Dare I add: Little did He know.

The New Yorker

With, dare I add, a touch of humor?

The New York Times - Food

I think both positions are sustainable – it depends on the politician's temperament, on the scale of their disagreements and, dare I add, their personal calculation about future ambition.

The Guardian

Though her emotion-packed soprano has rarely been more penetrating or (dare I add?) operatic, Ms. McDonald makes you forget whether she's speaking or singing the words of the loose-living, terminally conflicted Bess, who improbably but persuasively falls in love with Porgy (a dignified but hamstrung Norm Lewis).

The New York Times

Our problem is that we do not have a big enough industrial base, not entrepreneurial figures to expand it – though we do have successes, often foreign-financed or owned, like pharmaceuticals, high-tech engineering and (dare I add?) even banks that remain innovative world leaders.

The Guardian

The instinct lies deep in the fragmented centuries of German history – Germany has no national history like France or Britain, he says – when as many as 360 mostly petty states and princes enjoyed rights and (dare I add) "sovereignty" under the titular rule of the Holy Roman Emperor.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

"I daren't add it up, and although I have no regrets in doing it, it's probably over £50m.

BBC

As fast-growing companies — or, dare I say, "scale-ups" — add new headcount, the pace at which they are able to on-board new hires doesn't always keep up.

TechCrunch

He added: "Dare I say it, the Olympic spirit is really kicking in in Northern Ireland".

BBC

No man is an Island, said John Donne, but I humbly dare to add: No man and no woman is an island, but everyone of us is a peninsula, half attached to the mainland and half facing the ocean - one half connected to family and friends and culture and tradition and nation and sex and language and many other things and the other half wanted to be left alone to face the ocean.

Huffington Post

As an afterthought, that reader added this: "Dare I dream, indoor badminton courts".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dare I add" when you want to introduce an additional point that might be slightly bold, unexpected, or controversial, but is relevant to the discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "dare I add" too frequently in your writing. It can make your prose sound hesitant or overly dramatic. Use it sparingly for maximum impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dare I add" primarily functions as an interruptive element or discourse marker. It signals the speaker's awareness that the addition might be bold or unexpected, as shown in Ludwig's examples. It serves to introduce a potentially surprising or emphatic comment.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dare I add" is a grammatically sound and usable expression, used to introduce an additional point with a touch of hesitation or boldness. According to Ludwig, it functions as a discourse marker and is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "may I add" and "if I may add". While correct, overuse can detract from writing quality. "Dare I add" serves to flag a statement as potentially surprising or insightful, encouraging audience engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

may I add

Substitutes "dare" with "may", softening the boldness to a simple request for permission to add something.

if I may add

Similar to "may I add", but includes "if", adding a further layer of politeness or conditionality.

might I add

Uses "might" instead of "may", suggesting a slightly more tentative addition.

perhaps I should mention

Replaces the directness of "add" with a more indirect suggestion of mentioning something.

it's worth mentioning

Shifts the focus to the importance of the addition rather than the speaker's hesitation.

I would like to add

A more formal and direct way of introducing an additional point.

I'd like to point out

Similar to 'I would like to add', but suggests a clarifying or corrective purpose.

it should be noted

Emphasizes the noteworthiness of the added information, distancing it from personal opinion.

for the record

Implies the addition is important to be formally documented or remembered.

let me also say

Adds emphasis to the speaker's intention to make another statement.

FAQs

How to use "dare I add" in a sentence?

The phrase "dare I add" is typically used to introduce a remark that might be slightly audacious or unexpected. For example, "The performance was excellent, and, "dare I add", surprisingly innovative".

What can I say instead of "dare I add"?

You can use alternatives like "may I add", "if I may add", or "it's worth mentioning" depending on the context.

Is "dare I add" formal or informal?

"Dare I add" is generally considered to be semi-formal. It can be used in both writing and speech, but it is more common in written contexts or more formal spoken situations. It is not as informal as phrases used in casual conversation, but it is not overly stuffy or academic either.

What's the nuance of "dare I add"?

The phrase "dare I add" conveys a sense of hesitation, boldness, or mild surprise. It suggests that the speaker is aware that what they are about to say might be unexpected, slightly controversial, or simply an additional point worth noting. It adds a layer of emphasis to the statement.