gather the courage

USAGE SUMMARY

"gather the courage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it any time you need to express that someone will need to summon up courage or strength in order to do something. For example, "With the final exam approaching, I had to gather the courage to stay focused and prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

Each time they tried, and failed, to gather the courage to ask girls to dance.

The New York Times

If given the chance, Americans will gather the courage to work in new twin towers.

The New York Times

Victims are typically traumatized by an attack and may take days or even months to gather the courage to speak out.

The New York Times

He had come by to record this project so that other gardeners might gather the courage to chop off their plants' limbs.

The New York Times

This helped me gather the courage to strike a particular "note" in my painting, as opposed to a mushy implication which never quite arrives or leaves.

The New York Times - Arts

It took more than 15 years for another group of women to gather the courage to start a public movement against the ban on female driving.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

After two hours, one of the store workers gathered the courage to make for the exit.

The Guardian

Yet every now and then someone gathers the courage to tell of it.

The Guardian

Eventually, she gathered the courage to pick up a hand mirror.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As the Saudi rock scene grew, Dina gathered the courage to start her own band.

The New York Times

Finally, I gathered the courage to ask her where she got them.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gather the courage" when you want to express the act of preparing oneself mentally and emotionally to face a daunting or frightening situation. It implies a deliberate effort to summon bravery.

Common error

Avoid using "have courage" when "gather the courage" is more appropriate. "Have courage" is a state of being, while "gather the courage" describes an action of preparing for a specific event or challenge.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gather the courage" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'gather' is the verb indicating the action of collecting or summoning, and 'courage' is the noun representing the quality being acquired. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

17%

Academia

9%

Less common in

Science

6%

HuffPost

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gather the courage" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that describes the act of preparing oneself mentally and emotionally to face a challenging situation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, Wiki, and academic writings, indicating its broad applicability. When writing, consider using "gather the courage" to depict a deliberate effort to summon bravery. Related alternatives include "summon the bravery" and "muster the nerve", offering nuanced ways to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summon the bravery

Focuses more on the inherent quality of bravery rather than the act of collecting oneself.

muster the nerve

Emphasizes boldness and audacity in facing a challenge or difficult situation.

pluck up the spirit

Highlights lifting one's mood and resolve to face adversity with renewed energy.

steel oneself

Implies mentally and emotionally preparing for something difficult or unpleasant.

brace oneself

Suggests a readiness to absorb impact or face an expected challenge with resolve.

find the fortitude

Focuses on discovering inner strength and resilience to overcome obstacles.

get up the gumption

Highlights the initiative and boldness needed to start something challenging.

rouse one's valor

Emphasizes stirring up inner courage and heroism to confront danger or adversity.

find the grit

Highlights finding perseverance and resolve in the face of long-term challenges.

screw up your courage

An idiomatic expression referring to forcing yourself to be brave. This phrase has a lower similarity score due to its informal tone.

FAQs

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

You can use "gather the courage" to describe the act of preparing oneself to face a difficult or frightening situation. For example, "She had to "gather the courage" to speak in front of the crowd".

What's a more formal way to say "gather the courage"?

For a more formal tone, you might use phrases like "summon the bravery" or "muster the nerve", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more elevated vocabulary.

Is there a difference between "gather the courage" and "have courage"?

"Gather the courage" implies an action of preparing oneself to face a specific challenge, while "have courage" suggests a general state of bravery or resilience. The former is about summoning bravery for a task, while the latter is about possessing an inherent quality.

What are some situations where you might need to "gather the courage"?

Situations requiring you to ""gather the courage"" can include public speaking, confronting a fear, making a difficult decision, or standing up for what you believe in.