gathering courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gathering courage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing the process of summoning bravery or resolve to face a challenging situation. Example: "Before stepping onto the stage, she took a moment for gathering courage to deliver her speech."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Joy Hepburn was one, and she drove past the home twice while gathering courage to stop and leave money.

The New York Times

("He makes sweatpants look good," one young woman said at the meet and greet, while gathering courage to ask him to pose with her for a picture).

The New Yorker

But the star had passed, and men, hunger-driven and gathering courage only slowly, might creep back to their ruined cities, buried granaries and sodden fields.

The Guardian

We were fueling up and, in my case, gathering courage, to take a ride on the Funivia Colle Eletto — a birdcage-like cable car that fits only two people and slowly ferries them to the top of Mount Ingino, where there is a magnificent panoramic view of the city and surrounding countryside.

The New York Times - Travel

Then the men began to speak, rallying, gathering courage.

Huffington Post

Nervously at first, then gathering courage, the students stood to ply Hawking with their queries.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

I am simply gathering up courage".

The New Yorker

I worked that corner for a week before gathering enough courage and tips to ask Inez out.

The New Yorker

By Avedon's own admission, one of the first photographs that he took as a boy, gathering his courage and his box Brownie, was of Rachmaninoff, and the composer would feel mournfully at home in this environment.

The New Yorker

Riding along a wooded road en route to his new suburban home, another peered anxiously out the window of his foster family's gleaming minivan before finally gathering the courage to ask, "Are there lions in this bush?" Given the magnitude of these kids' adjustment, it was hard not to wonder how it would all work out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Whitman, at one point, visits a makeshift hospital for the Union soldiers: "He took a walk around the building, gathering his courage and found a pile of amputated limbs, arms and legs of varying lengths, all black and blue and rotten in the chill..

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gathering courage" to depict a character's internal process of preparing for a daunting task, emphasizing the effort involved in overcoming fear or hesitation.

Common error

Avoid using "gathering courage" to describe a sudden act of bravery. The phrase implies a gradual process of building up resolve, not an instantaneous decision.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "gathering courage" is that of a verbal phrase acting as a gerund modifying an action, describing the process of preparing oneself mentally for a challenging situation. Ludwig AI confirms that "gathering courage" is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gathering courage" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the process of preparing oneself to face a daunting or frightening situation. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media contexts. While several alternatives exist, such as "mustering courage" or "summoning bravery", "gathering courage" is a clear and effective way to depict the internal buildup of resolve. When writing, remember that the term is most appropriate to describe a gradual process and not a sudden burst of bravery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mustering courage

Focuses on actively assembling or summoning courage from within.

summoning bravery

Emphasizes the act of calling forth bravery, highlighting a conscious effort.

finding resolve

Highlights discovering and strengthening one's determination.

working up the nerve

Focuses on overcoming nervousness or anxiety to act.

building up courage

Suggests a gradual increase in courage over time.

bracing oneself

Implies preparing mentally and emotionally for a difficult situation.

steeling oneself

Suggests hardening oneself emotionally for a challenge.

bolstering spirits

Focuses on improving one's mood and confidence.

psyched oneself up

Highlights the mental preparation and self-encouragement aspect.

getting up the gumption

Emphasizes initiative, resourcefulness, and aggressiveness.

FAQs

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

You can use "gathering courage" to describe someone preparing for a challenging or frightening situation, like "Before the presentation, she spent a few minutes "gathering courage" in the restroom".

What are some alternatives to "gathering courage"?

Alternatives include "mustering courage", "summoning bravery", or "finding resolve", each emphasizing different aspects of building strength.

Is it correct to say "gathering up courage"?

While "gathering courage" is more common, "gathering up courage" is also acceptable, particularly when emphasizing the effort of collecting or accumulating strength. However, "gathering courage" is generally more concise and preferred.

What is the difference between "gathering courage" and "gaining courage"?

"Gathering courage" implies an active, conscious effort to prepare for a specific event. "Gaining courage" suggests a more gradual process of becoming braver over time, often through experience.