he had the nerve to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he had the nerve to" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express surprise or indignation about someone's audacity or boldness in doing something considered inappropriate or unexpected. Example: "He had the nerve to ask for a raise after arriving late to work every day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

"Can you imagine," she said, "he had the nerve to ask me if I had any more like that".

The New Yorker

He had the nerve to sign it.

The New Yorker

He had the nerve to accuse Democrats of scorning normal Americans and hobnobbing with the rich.

The Economist

Especially after he had the nerve to abandon me, just like my father did".

The New York Times - Books

"We were friends, and he had the nerve to look me in the eye, and call out my name.

The New York Times

When he was called on it, he had the nerve to say the American people won't care about it".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

The Glasgow fly-half was offered the first opportunity for points five minutes in when Leinster were penalised for an offside and the 21-year-old showed he had the nerves to handle the occasion by stroking over the penalty from 40 metres.

BBC

"Now he has the nerve to run again.

The New York Times

He has the nerve to ask the rapper why he "doesn't look fresh".

The New Yorker

To be honest I'm surprised he has the nerve to show up.

The Guardian - Travel

What he has the nerve to call "the fag elements of fashion" were alien to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he had the nerve to" to express surprise or indignation when someone does something you consider inappropriate or audacious. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative writing or personal anecdotes to convey a sense of outrage or disbelief.

Common error

Avoid using "he had the nerve to" when you actually mean someone displayed courage or bravery. "Nerve" in this context implies audacity or impudence, not valor. For expressing courage, use phrases like "he had the courage to" or "he dared to".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he had the nerve to" functions as an expressive idiom used to convey a speaker's indignation, disapproval, or surprise at someone's audacious or impudent behavior. It highlights the speaker's negative judgment of the action performed. Ludwig confirms that this expression is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he had the nerve to" is a commonly used idiom to express indignation or surprise at someone's audacious behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and appropriate in various contexts. While alternatives such as "he had the audacity to" or "he had the gall to" exist, they all serve to highlight the speaker's disapproval. The phrase's prevalence in News & Media indicates its broad applicability, and remembering to use it to convey feelings of outrage rather than courage will ensure accurate and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he had the audacity to

Replaces "nerve" with "audacity", emphasizing boldness and impudence.

he had the gall to

Substitutes "nerve" with "gall", highlighting impudence and brazenness.

he had the cheek to

Replaces "nerve" with "cheek", suggesting impudence and disrespect.

he had the effrontery to

Substitutes "nerve" with "effrontery", implying extreme arrogance and disrespect.

he had the temerity to

Replaces "nerve" with "temerity", emphasizing recklessness and audacity.

he dared to

Simplifies the expression, focusing on the daring or audacious nature of the action.

he was so brazen as to

Rephrases to emphasize the person's shamelessness and audacity.

he presumed to

Highlights the presumption or arrogance implied in the action.

how dare he

A more direct expression of outrage and disbelief at someone's actions.

he took the liberty of

Suggests someone acted without permission or justification.

FAQs

What does "he had the nerve to" mean?

The phrase "he had the nerve to" expresses surprise or indignation at someone's boldness or audacity, especially when their action is considered inappropriate or disrespectful.

What are some alternatives to "he had the nerve to"?

You can use phrases like "he had the audacity to", "he had the gall to", or "how dare he" to convey a similar sentiment.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he had the nerve to"?

Yes, "he had the nerve to" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to express disapproval or surprise at someone's actions.

In what contexts is "he had the nerve to" commonly used?

This phrase is frequently used in informal and semi-formal contexts, such as storytelling, personal narratives, and opinion pieces, to express a negative reaction to someone's behavior. You can encounter it in News & Media, books, and everyday conversations.