great courage

USAGE SUMMARY

"great courage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when describing someone's bravery or strength of character. For example, "It took great courage for him to stand up against a powerful politician."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Great courage.

The New York Times - Books

That took great courage.

The Guardian

It gives you great courage and power.

Independent

But it takes great courage.

Harvard Business Review

This was somebody of great courage".

The New York Times

"I think that takes great courage".

The New York Times - Arts

It takes great courage, trust and openness.

The New York Times - Arts

President Bush has demonstrated great courage.

The New York Times

You had great courage and heart.

The New York Times

He had great courage and creativity".

The Guardian

He fought his health battle privately and with great courage.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "great courage" to emphasize the magnitude of someone's bravery, especially when they face significant personal risk or opposition. For instance, "The whistleblower showed "great courage" by exposing the company's illegal practices."

Common error

While "great courage" is suitable for formal or serious contexts, consider using simpler terms like "bravery" or "guts" in casual conversation to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Instead of saying, "He showed "great courage" ordering the spiciest dish", you could say, "He was really brave ordering the spiciest dish".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "great courage" functions primarily as a noun phrase that describes a quality or attribute. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is a "correct" and usable phrase, serving to identify and emphasize the extent of someone's bravery or strength.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "great courage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to describe significant bravery or fortitude. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. It's most commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and academic sources. When using the phrase, it's crucial to consider the context and audience. While the phrase is widely applicable, simpler terms might be more appropriate for casual settings. Alternatives like "immense bravery" or "exceptional valor" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Remember, "great courage" serves to emphasize extraordinary strength in the face of adversity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immense bravery

Replaces "courage" with "bravery" and "great" with "immense", emphasizing the extent of the bravery.

considerable fortitude

Substitutes "courage" with "fortitude", focusing on mental and emotional strength in facing adversity.

exceptional valor

Replaces "courage" with "valor", suggesting outstanding bravery, particularly in battle or dangerous situations.

remarkable heroism

Emphasizes the heroic nature of the courage, suggesting actions that are selfless and worthy of admiration.

extraordinary fearlessness

Highlights the absence of fear, which is a key aspect of courage, and intensifies it with "extraordinary".

notable bravery

Substitutes "great" with "notable", indicating that the bravery is worthy of attention or recognition.

significant grit

Focuses on the tenacity and resilience aspects of courage, using "grit" to convey strength of character.

substantial mettle

Emphasizes the inherent strength and resilience, using "mettle" to denote a person's ability to cope well with difficulties.

profound valor

Intensifies the concept of "valor" by using "profound", suggesting a deep and meaningful display of bravery.

impressive boldness

Highlights the willingness to take risks and act decisively, focusing on the audacious aspect of courage.

FAQs

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

You can use "great courage" to describe someone's exceptional bravery or fortitude in the face of adversity. For example, "It took "great courage" for her to speak out against injustice."

What are some alternatives to "great courage"?

Alternatives include "immense bravery", "considerable fortitude", or "exceptional valor" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "great courage" formal or informal?

"Great courage" leans toward the formal side, often found in news reports, historical accounts, or formal speeches. More informal contexts might use "bravery" or simpler terms.

What's the difference between "great courage" and "simple bravery"?

"Great courage" suggests a higher degree of bravery, often implying significant risk or adversity. "Simple bravery" is a more general term for courageous acts.