it took courage

USAGE SUMMARY

"it took courage" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to indicate something difficult or unpleasant was done with courage. For example: "It took courage to stand up to the bully."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And it took courage.

The New Yorker

It took courage.

The Economist

It took courage to pass Medicare.

The New York Times

Certainly, it took courage to write.

The New York Times - Books

It took courage to pass Social Security.

The New York Times

It took courage and perseverance.

The New York Times - Health

It took courage to say that".

The Guardian - Books

Still, it took courage to expose herself as she did.

The New York Times - Arts

"It took courage to dive back in," she admits.

The Guardian

It took courage to do a new Nomad.

The New York Times

Because politicians prefer discretion, it took courage to propose an automatic trigger.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it took courage" to highlight the admirable quality of someone facing a challenging or frightening situation. It adds emphasis to the difficulty of the action.

Common error

Avoid overusing "it took courage" for trivial actions. Save it for scenarios where genuine bravery or significant risk is involved, maintaining the phrase's impact and sincerity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it took courage" functions as a declarative statement, asserting that a specific action or decision required bravery or valor. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct and usable phrase, adding emphasis to the difficulty of the action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

7%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it took courage" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to emphasize that an action required bravery. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's appropriate for describing situations where someone faced a challenge with valor. Predominantly found in News & Media, with examples also present in academic and business contexts, it maintains a neutral register. When writing, remember to reserve it for instances that genuinely demonstrate courage. Related phrases include "it required bravery" and "it called for boldness", providing alternative ways to express similar ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it required bravery

This alternative uses the word 'bravery' instead of 'courage', highlighting the valor needed.

it demanded fortitude

This option uses 'fortitude' suggesting mental and emotional strength in facing adversity.

it necessitated valor

This alternative employs 'valor' emphasizing exceptional courage, especially in battle or dangerous situations.

it called for boldness

Replaces "courage" with "boldness", emphasizing a willingness to take risks.

it involved daring

Substitutes "courage" with "daring", highlighting the element of risk-taking.

it needed nerve

Uses "nerve" as a more informal synonym for courage, suggesting a need for boldness.

it implied fearlessness

Replaces "courage" with "fearlessness", emphasizing the absence of fear.

it presumed heroism

This alternative uses "heroism", suggesting actions of great bravery and self-sacrifice.

it represented gallantry

This option uses "gallantry", highlighting courtesy and chivalry, often associated with courageous behavior.

it showcased audacity

This alternative uses "audacity" suggesting boldness or daring, especially with confident disregard for conventional restraints.

FAQs

How can I use "it took courage" in a sentence?

Use "it took courage" to emphasize that a specific action required bravery or strength in the face of fear or adversity. For example, "It took courage to speak out against injustice".

What are some alternatives to "it took courage"?

You can use alternatives such as "it required bravery", "it demanded fortitude", or "it called for boldness" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it takes courage" instead of "it took courage"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "it takes courage" is for general situations or future actions while "it took courage" refers to a specific past event. For example, "It takes courage to start a new business" versus "It took courage to leave that job".

When is it appropriate to use "it took courage" in writing?

Use "it took courage" when you want to highlight that someone overcame fear, faced a difficult situation, or acted bravely in the face of adversity. It adds emphasis to the admirable qualities of the person or people that acted in the situation.