took courage

USAGE SUMMARY

"took courage" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is used to describe an action that required bravery or bravery to carry out. Here is an example: "It took courage for Sarah to stand up to the bully and defend her little sister."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

And it took courage.

The New Yorker

That took courage.

The New York Times

It took courage.

The Economist

"That took courage," he said.

The New Yorker

This took courage.

The New York Times

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

That in itself took courage.

The Guardian - Opinion

It took courage to say that".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "took courage", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action required bravery. Providing details enhances the impact and credibility of your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "took courage" without specifying who or what exhibited the bravery. For instance, instead of saying "It took courage", specify who took the courage and what action they performed: "She "took courage" and spoke out against injustice."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "took courage" functions as a verbal phrase indicating that an individual or entity summoned bravery or boldness to perform a particular action. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and commonly used, emphasizing its role in highlighting acts of bravery.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "took courage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that describes an act requiring bravery. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage, primarily in news and media contexts. When using the phrase, it's best to specify what action "took courage" and who performed it to enhance clarity and impact. Consider related phrases like "required bravery" or "demanded valor" for alternative expressions. Avoid vague usage by always specifying who or what "took courage". The high frequency and authoritative sources indicate its reliability and appropriateness in various writing scenarios, making it a valuable addition to any writer's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

required bravery

Focuses on the bravery needed, instead of the action of taking courage.

called for boldness

Emphasizes the boldness demanded by the situation.

demanded valor

Highlights the valor that the situation necessitated.

necessitated fearlessness

Emphasizes the quality of being fearless that was required.

required a brave act

Focuses on the brave act performed.

involved great daring

Highlights the aspect of daring present in the situation.

was an act of valor

Frames the action as an instance of valor.

showed great fortitude

Highlights the fortitude displayed in the situation.

displayed heroism

Focuses on the heroic nature of the action.

showed resilience

Emphasizes the resilience displayed by the person or action.

FAQs

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

You can use "took courage" to describe someone's action requiring bravery. For example, "It "took courage" to admit his mistake" or "She "took courage" and stood up for what she believed in".

What are some alternatives to using "took courage"?

Alternatives include phrases like "required bravery", "demanded valor", or "called for boldness", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "takes courage" or "took courage"?

Use "takes courage" for present or general situations, such as "It takes courage to be honest". Use "took courage" for past situations, like "It "took courage" to confront him yesterday".

What distinguishes "took courage" from "was courageous"?

"Took courage" emphasizes the action of summoning bravery to do something, while "was courageous" describes a state of being. For example, "He "took courage" and jumped into the icy water" focuses on the action, whereas "He was courageous to jump into the icy water" describes his character.