dare to act

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dare to act" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to encourage someone to take bold or courageous actions, often in the face of fear or uncertainty. Example: "In times of crisis, we must dare to act and make decisions that will lead us to a better future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

I see law enforcement agencies around the world, and not just the United States, that dare to act on suspicion of corruption".

The New York Times

Abu Sendaa dismissed claims that Moussa was "feloul" (a remnant of the old regime), arguing that "after Tahrir" any future president knows they are on notice from the Egyptian people and hence wouldn't dare to act dictatorially ever again.

The Guardian

But the commission may not dare to act as bravely during a general election.Sunai Phasuk, an academic with the Asian Network for Free Elections, says a tough electoral commission will be essential for an honest and free poll, but he does not expect it to bare its teeth and eliminate cheating candidates entirely.

The Economist

It's not enough to just arrest them, but action should be so strict that no one should dare to act in such a manner again".

BBC

In either supposition, it is certainly desirable that the executive should be in a situation to dare to act his own opinion with vigor and decision.

University of Chicago

Bahujan Samaj Party chief, Mayawati, said that proper investigation was required, and that "action should be so strict that no one should dare to act in such a manner again".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

If Trump misjudged North Korea and dared to "act recklessly," Pyongyang would be "compelled to deal a resolute and merciless punishment" to the United States, the newspaper warned in its typically verbose style.

The Washington Post

As one of the first lesbian feminist groups, the Radicalesbians, argued in a 1970 essay, "The Woman-Identified Woman," women were called lesbians (pejoratively), regardless of their preferred partners, when they dared to act as if they were equal to men.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While shooting "Four Men and a Prayer" (1938), Ford tricked David Niven into getting drunk so he could mortify him in front of the producer Darryl F. Zanuck, and for years Ford froze John Wayne out of his life because he dared to act for Ford's competitor Raoul Walsh.

The New York Times - Books

No earlier leader of India dared to act and think quite this way and with such zeal.

Forbes

It can actually be read as a leadership coda for anyone who dares to act on behalf of others.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dare to act" when you want to convey a sense of courage, boldness, or defiance in taking action, especially in situations where there might be opposition or risk.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that diminishes the actor's responsibility. For instance, instead of "Mistakes were dared to be acted upon", use a construction like "The team dared to act on the mistakes identified".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dare to act" functions as an infinitive phrase often used to encourage or challenge someone to take a bold or courageous action. It indicates a call to overcome hesitation or fear and to proceed despite potential risks or opposition. Ludwig AI confirms its appropriate usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dare to act" is an infinitive phrase that encourages bold and courageous action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across various contexts, though its frequency is uncommon. It is most often found in news media and wiki contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal register. The phrase functions to motivate and inspire, urging individuals to overcome fear and challenge norms. When using "dare to act", it's essential to convey courage and avoid diminishing responsibility through passive voice constructions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have the courage to act

Emphasizes bravery and overcoming fear before taking action.

be bold enough to act

Highlights the necessity of boldness and confidence in initiating action.

take decisive action

Focuses on the effectiveness and impact of the action taken.

step up and act

Implies taking responsibility and initiating action when needed.

show initiative and act

Stresses proactive behavior and taking action without being prompted.

be proactive and act

Suggests anticipating needs and acting in advance to address them.

exercise agency

Focuses on the capacity and right to act independently and make choices.

take the initiative

Emphasizes beginning or starting something without external motivation.

venture to act

Implies a risk or uncertainty associated with the action taken.

take charge and act

Highlights leadership and controlling the situation to facilitate action.

FAQs

How can I use "dare to act" in a sentence?

You can use "dare to act" to express courage or boldness in taking action. For example, "In the face of adversity, we must "dare to act" and pursue our goals relentlessly."

What are some alternatives to "dare to act"?

Some alternatives include "have the courage to act", "be bold enough to act", or "take decisive action", depending on the specific context.

Is "dare to act" formal or informal?

"Dare to act" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly found in motivational or persuasive writing. It's suitable for scenarios where encouraging boldness is appropriate.

What does it mean to "dare to act"?

To "dare to act" means to have the courage or audacity to take action, especially in challenging or risky situations. It implies a willingness to overcome fear or hesitation.