gaining courage

USAGE SUMMARY

“gaining courage” is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is building up their strength or confidence in order to face a challenging situation. For example, "She was facing her fears by slowly gaining courage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Before long the whole family is gaining courage, and even the littlest is riding piggy-back across the water.

The Guardian - Travel

Here are some other factors to watch in coming weeks: SMALL-STOCK PERFORMANCE An indication that investors are gaining courage after a market scare is a renewed willingness to own speculative assets.

The New York Times

This is a moment when creativity is gaining courage, so the key is to be sure about your ideas and be confident in what you are doing, persevere on the road that you are following to obtain your objective.

Vice

Gaining courage, I began finding inspiration in far-flung destinations such as Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, the world's largest salt flat, where I shot my series Far Far Away.

Forbes

Gaining courage usually happens when you trust yourself and your abilities.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I nearly committed suicide, but gained courage and sought to follow what counsellors had advised.

The Guardian

Did the idiotic vandal, who claims to be an artist, somehow gain courage from that?

The Guardian - Arts

The main thing is to gain courage, forget about laziness and act.

The New Yorker

Black veterans gained courage and confidence by fighting their nation's enemies on the battlefield and racism in the ranks.

Princeton University

For me, it was a way to heal my body from lung surgery, and to gain courage and strength for what lies ahead.

The New York Times

Things were moving fast and we started to gain courage.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gaining courage" to describe a gradual process of overcoming fear or building confidence in the face of a challenge, rather than a sudden burst of bravery.

Common error

Avoid using "gaining courage" to describe an instantaneous act of bravery. The phrase suggests a gradual accumulation of confidence, not a spontaneous reaction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gaining courage" functions as a gerund phrase, often used as the subject or part of the verb phrase in a sentence. It describes the action of becoming braver or more confident. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gaining courage" is a grammatically sound and usable gerund phrase, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. Though relatively rare in occurrence, the phrase effectively conveys the process of building bravery and confidence. Predominantly found in "News & Media", it also appears in "Wiki" and "Academia", maintaining a neutral register. Consider related phrases like "building confidence" or "developing fortitude" to add nuance. Remember, using "gaining courage" implies a gradual process, not a sudden act.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

growing bolder

Implies a gradual increase in courage and daring.

cultivating bravery

Emphasizes the active development of bravery as a quality.

emboldening oneself

Focuses on the act of making oneself braver or more confident.

developing fortitude

Focuses on building mental and emotional strength to face adversity.

steeled themselves

Suggests a preparation in a mental or emotional way for something difficult.

acquiring fearlessness

Suggests obtaining a state free from fear.

mustering strength

Highlights the effort to gather inner resources for a challenging situation.

building confidence

Concentrates on increasing self-assurance and belief in one's abilities.

finding resolve

Stresses the discovery of determination to overcome obstacles.

bolstering morale

Focuses on the act of boosting one's spirits to face adversity

FAQs

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

You can use "gaining courage" to describe a process of building confidence or overcoming fear. For instance, "She was "slowly gaining courage" before speaking in public".

What are some alternatives to "gaining courage"?

Consider using alternatives like "building confidence", "developing fortitude", or "mustering strength" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "gaining the courage" instead of "gaining courage"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "gaining courage" is more general, while "gaining the courage" implies a specific instance or source of courage.

What does "gaining courage" imply about the process of becoming brave?

The phrase "gaining courage" suggests a gradual and continuous process, rather than an immediate or one-time event. It highlights the effort and time involved in overcoming fear or building confidence.