demonstrate courage

USAGE SUMMARY

"demonstrate courage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the idea of having courage in a difficult time or situation. For example, "Both faced with the challenge, they chose to demonstrate courage in the face of adversity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Throughout her adventure Irene must demonstrate courage and wit; she must also demonstrate faith.

The New York Times - Arts

Unless city governments demonstrate courage and political will to challenge the status quo, nothing will change.

The New York Times

A genuine governing alternative requires Labour to demonstrate courage and radicalism.

Independent

"All of us can't be firemen," Mr. Schulberg said, "but we can demonstrate courage, determination, thoughtfulness, caring and compassion".

The New York Times

As they grapple with concepts like camaraderie and bravery, they demonstrate courage when it comes to exposing their souls to the camera.

The New York Times

When we do speak up when others are being treated unfairly or hurt, we not only demonstrate courage, we also influence others to follow suit.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Even as he exited, John Edwards demonstrated courage and class.

The New York Times

Nearly a year ago, Ms. Kennedy demonstrated courage and leadership by endorsing Barack Obama for president.

The New York Times

More freedom of expression and not less demonstrates courage in the face of attacks.

The Washington Post

Over the past week Turkey's politicians have for once demonstrated courage.

The Economist

Cal has a Joe Roth Award that goes to the Cal football player who best demonstrates courage, attitude and sportsmanship.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "demonstrate courage" to highlight specific instances where individuals or groups actively display bravery in challenging situations. It adds emphasis to the act of being courageous rather than just possessing courage as a trait.

Common error

Avoid using "demonstrate courage" when simply describing someone's inherent character. Instead, use it when you want to showcase a specific instance of bravery in action. For example, instead of saying "He is someone who demonstrates courage", say "He demonstrated courage by risking his life to save the child."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "demonstrate courage" functions as a verb phrase where "demonstrate" is the verb and "courage" is the noun serving as the object. It typically describes the act of displaying bravery or resilience in a challenging situation. This aligns with Ludwig AI’s assessment that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "demonstrate courage" is grammatically sound and commonly used to describe the act of displaying bravery or resilience. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's frequently found in news, academic, and business contexts, indicating a neutral to professional register. Related phrases like "exhibit bravery" or "display fortitude" offer subtle variations in meaning. When using this phrase, it's best to highlight specific instances of bravery rather than someone's inherent character, and it should not be used in passive contexts. Overall, "demonstrate courage" is a powerful phrase for emphasizing active bravery in various situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exhibit bravery

Replaces "demonstrate" with "exhibit", focusing on displaying bravery.

display fortitude

Substitutes "courage" with "fortitude", emphasizing resilience and mental strength.

show valor

Replaces "demonstrate courage" with "show valor", highlighting exceptional bravery, especially in battle.

brave adversity

Focuses on facing challenges with bravery.

act fearlessly

Emphasizes acting without fear.

take a courageous stand

Highlights taking a brave position or action.

rise to the occasion

Focuses on responding bravely in a challenging situation.

muster bravery

Focuses on gathering one's courage.

face challenges head-on

Highlights directly confronting difficult situations.

defy the odds

Focuses on acting courageously against unfavorable conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "demonstrate courage" in a sentence?

You can use "demonstrate courage" to describe situations where someone actively shows bravery or resilience in the face of adversity. For example, "The firefighters "demonstrate courage" every day by risking their lives to save others".

What are some alternatives to "demonstrate courage"?

Some alternatives to "demonstrate courage" include "exhibit bravery", "display fortitude", or "show valor". These phrases offer similar meanings but with slightly different connotations.

Is it better to say "demonstrate courage" or "show courage"?

Both "demonstrate courage" and "show courage" are correct and usable. "Demonstrate courage" might imply a more deliberate and active display of bravery, while "show courage" is a more general expression.

What does it mean to "take a courageous stand" instead of "demonstrate courage"?

While "demonstrate courage" refers to actively showing bravery, "take a courageous stand" typically refers to publicly supporting a cause or belief, even when it's unpopular or risky. The former emphasizes the action of being brave, while the latter emphasizes the act of supporting something.