have the courage to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'have the courage to' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to do something that is difficult or involves taking a risk. For example, you could say, "You have the courage to pursue your dreams."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have the courage to fail.

The New Yorker

Have the courage to fail.

Princeton University

Have the courage to change.

Harvard Business Review

Let's have the courage to pull out.

The New York Times

Will we have the courage to act?

Harvard Business Review

Have the courage to be wrong.

The Guardian

Have the courage to stand out.

The Guardian

Let us have the courage to be free.

Cornell University

Or we can have the courage to change.

The New York Times

But few politicians would have the courage to back it.

The Economist

"I have the courage to say what I think".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "have the courage to", ensure the context clearly indicates what action requires courage. Be specific to maximize impact.

Common error

Avoid using "have the courage to" for trivial actions. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Use more appropriate vocabulary instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have the courage to" functions as a modal verb phrase, expressing the ability or willingness to perform an action despite fear or adversity. It commonly precedes a verb in the infinitive form, indicating the action that requires courage. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have the courage to" is a versatile phrase used to express the bravery or willingness to undertake a difficult action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, academia, and general writing. While common, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Consider related phrases like "dare to" or "be brave enough to" for variety. Remember to be specific about the action requiring courage to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dare to

This alternative is shorter and more direct, implying a challenge to overcome fear.

be brave enough to

This alternative emphasizes bravery as a prerequisite for action.

find the strength to

This alternative highlights inner strength as the key element.

muster the fortitude to

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes resilience.

summon the courage to

This alternative suggests a conscious effort to gather courage.

be bold enough to

This alternative emphasizes taking a risk and being assertive.

have the nerve to

This alternative suggests a slightly audacious or impudent action.

take the plunge and

This alternative emphasizes initiating something new and potentially risky.

step up and

This alternative focuses on taking responsibility and facing a challenge.

be willing to

This alternative emphasizes the aspect of wanting to do something even it's difficult

FAQs

How can I use "have the courage to" in a sentence?

Use "have the courage to" to describe undertaking an action that requires bravery or overcoming fear. For example, "You must "have the courage to move forward", even when things are difficult."

What are some alternatives to "have the courage to"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "dare to", "be brave enough to", or "find the strength to".

Is it grammatically correct to say "had the courage to" instead of "have the courage to"?

Yes, "had the courage to" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of the phrase and is used to describe something someone did in the past that required courage.

What's the difference between "have the courage to" and "have the strength to"?

"Have the courage to" implies overcoming fear or doubt, while "have the strength to" suggests possessing the necessary physical or emotional power to do something. While often related, courage emphasizes bravery, and strength focuses on capability.