gathering my courage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'gathering my courage' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the effort it takes to do something difficult. For example, "I was gathering my courage to take the stage for my speech when someone tapped me on the shoulder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gathering my courage, I would waddle over to the courts and timidly ask, "Hey y'all, can I play?" The white kids snickered and giggled, but the black kids regarded me with extreme loathing.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I gathered my courage.

The New York Times - Style

But slowly I gathered my courage.

The New York Times

I closed my eyes for a moment — a reflex that sometimes happens when I need to gather my courage.

The New York Times

But I gathered up my courage as I went on.

BBC

I spent all day gathering the courage to ask whether my data had anything to do with it.

Forbes

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

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gathering my courage" when you want to convey a sense of internal preparation and effort before facing a daunting task or situation. This phrase emphasizes the mental and emotional process of building the necessary resolve.

Common error

Avoid using "gathering my courage" in situations where a display of confidence or immediate action is expected. The phrase suggests a moment of hesitation or internal struggle, which might be misinterpreted as weakness in contexts requiring decisiveness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gathering my courage" functions as an intransitive verb phrase, describing the act of preparing oneself mentally for a challenging or daunting situation. Ludwig examples confirm this usage, showcasing it as a preliminary action before facing something difficult.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Wiki

5%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gathering my courage" is a correct and frequently used phrase that describes the process of mentally preparing oneself to face a challenging situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and suggests its use to emphasize effort. While generally neutral, the phrase is most common in news and media contexts. Related phrases like "mustering my strength" or "bracing myself" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using this phrase, be mindful of contexts that require immediate confidence, as it implies a moment of internal hesitation. Ludwig's examples and analyses provide a robust understanding of its proper usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

summoning my bravery

Replaces "courage" with "bravery", offering a slight variation in tone.

working up the courage

Indicates effort put into gaining the necessary courage.

steeling myself

Emphasizes emotional hardening and resolve.

mustering my strength

Shifts focus from courage to overall strength and resilience.

getting up my nerve

Uses a more informal and idiomatic expression for gaining courage.

bracing myself

Implies preparing for a direct impact or confrontation.

psyching myself up

Suggests a more active and deliberate mental preparation.

gearing myself up

Similar to "psyching myself up" but with a more technical connotation.

preparing myself mentally

Highlights the mental aspect of getting ready for something difficult.

bolstering my confidence

Focuses on increasing self-assurance rather than just courage.

FAQs

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

You can use "gathering my courage" to describe the act of mentally preparing to face a difficult or frightening situation. For example, "Gathering my courage, I walked into the interview room."

What are some alternatives to "gathering my courage"?

Some alternatives include "mustering my strength", "bracing myself", or " steeling myself", each with slightly different connotations.

Is "gathering my courage" formal or informal?

"Gathering my courage" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it leans slightly towards the more descriptive side.

What's the difference between "gathering my courage" and "finding my courage"?

"Gathering my courage" implies an active effort to accumulate or build courage, while "finding my courage" suggests discovering or realizing a pre-existing but perhaps hidden strength.