was bold enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was bold enough" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who had the courage or confidence to take a particular action. Example: She was bold enough to speak her mind during the meeting. Alternative expressions include "had the courage" and "was daring enough."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But he questioned whether the initiative was bold enough.

The Guardian

Little wonder Hernandez was bold enough to start talking about a treble quest.

Independent

He was bold enough, but only if he could stay there.

The New Yorker

Ms. Watson is amazed she was bold enough to go abroad.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think I was bold enough to learn the Russian for I am champion.

The Guardian - Sport

He was bold enough, however, to steal his prisoner photographs from his dossier as Labor Inmate No. 1872.

The New York Times - Books

Strangely, as approving of the collection as many people on blogs were, others did not think Ms. Prada was bold enough.

The New York Times

One woman was bold enough to wear towering wedge heels as she walked, carefully, along the asphalt of Golf House Road near the 14th hole.

The New York Times - Sports

There are three things to look out for.The first is whether Congress honours the few reforms Mr Mukherjee was bold enough to volunteer.

The Economist

So Pearlman stuck with that slot and best of all, he was bold enough to pick V.C.U. to win the whole thing, beating Kentucky in the championship game.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

"We must be bold enough to seize the opportunity".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was bold enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific action the subject had the courage to undertake. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "was bold enough" when a simpler word like 'brave' or 'daring' would suffice. Overusing the phrase can dilute its impact; reserve it for situations where the action truly signifies a significant display of courage or audacity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was bold enough" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing the subject's capacity for courage or audacity. As Ludwig shows, it often introduces an infinitive verb phrase, detailing the specific action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Formal & Business

12%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was bold enough" is a versatile adjectival phrase used to emphasize the courage or audacity required for a particular action. As Ludwig highlights, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts and maintains a generally neutral register. The phrase is grammatically correct and very common, as confirmed by Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was brave enough

Synonymous, emphasizing the quality of bravery.

had the courage

Highlights the bravery and inner strength required to act.

was daring enough

Implies a willingness to take risks and defy convention.

dared to

Emphasizes the element of risk or challenge involved in the action.

was fearless enough

Suggests a lack of fear as the primary motivator for the action.

had the audacity

Suggests a greater degree of impudence or recklessness compared to simply being bold.

had the nerve

Highlights the impudence or lack of respect implied by the action.

took the liberty

Implies a certain level of presumption or making a decision without explicit permission.

felt empowered

Focuses on the sense of personal strength and authority that enabled the action.

possessed the conviction

Stresses that strong belief motivated the action.

FAQs

What does "was bold enough" mean?

The phrase "was bold enough" describes someone who had sufficient courage or confidence to do something, especially something that might be risky or unconventional. It implies that the action required a degree of bravery or audacity.

How can I use "was bold enough" in a sentence?

You can use "was bold enough" to describe a person's action that required courage. For example: "She "was bold enough" to challenge the CEO's decision." or "He "was bold enough" to start his own company after being laid off."

What can I say instead of "was bold enough"?

You can use alternatives like "dared to", "had the courage", or "was brave enough" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "was bold enough to" or "was bold enough that"?

"Was bold enough to" is the standard and grammatically correct construction. "Was bold enough that" is less common and might sound awkward to native English speakers. Therefore, "was bold enough to" is the preferred and more effective choice.