would never dare

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'would never dare' is a valid and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You could use this phrase to express that someone is not brave enough to do something, for example: "He had the chance to go skydiving, but he said he would never dare jump out of a plane."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I told her I would never dare.

The Guardian

They would never dare to push against the general will.

The Economist

"I would never dare condescend to a Jasna audience".

The New York Times - Books

"In my day, a bride would never dare to run away".

Independent

Yet most Europeans think Russia would never dare go so far.

The Economist

We would never dare to behave like this, or do this, at home.

The New York Times

Mary Ellen Mark and her camera went to places most of us would never dare.

The Washington Post

But Orlando always dismissed our concerns, saying: "They would never dare to attack me in Washington.

The Washington Post

It all looks like it could do with a good clean but you would never dare.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"In the mountains, I can wear things I would never dare wear on the street or to work".

The New York Times

Mr Kirchhof has served her as a floater of trial balloons; he can say things she would never dare to.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "would never dare" to express a strong sense of improbability or fear regarding a particular action. For emphasis, consider pairing it with adverbs like "even" or "ever."

Common error

Avoid using "would never dare" when you simply mean someone lacks the skill or knowledge, and not that they lack the courage. For instance, don't say "He would never dare to program in Java" if you mean he doesn't know how; instead, say "He doesn't know how to program in Java."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "would never dare" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a strong disinclination or lack of courage to perform a certain action. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard construction used to express improbability or fear. Examples show its wide applicability across various subjects and contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "would never dare" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong sense of improbability or lack of courage regarding an action. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and examples show its widespread use in news and media. To effectively employ this phrase, understand that it implies a significant deterrent—fear, respect, or social taboo. Consider alternatives like "wouldn't dream of" for stronger aversion or "would be too afraid to" when emphasizing fear as the reason. Be mindful to use "would never dare" to indicate a lack of bravery rather than a lack of skill. With these insights, you can confidently and accurately incorporate "would never dare" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wouldn't dream of

Emphasizes a strong aversion or disbelief that one would ever do something.

wouldn't even consider

Highlights a complete rejection of an idea or action.

would be too afraid to

Focuses on fear as the primary reason for not doing something.

would lack the courage to

Emphasizes the absence of bravery required for an action.

would not have the nerve to

Indicates a deficiency in boldness or audacity.

would shrink from

Suggests recoiling or withdrawing due to fear or distaste.

would think twice about

Implies hesitation and careful consideration before acting.

would hesitate to

Indicates a pause or reluctance before doing something.

would shy away from

Suggests avoiding something due to timidity or apprehension.

wouldn't have the audacity to

Highlights a lack of impudence or boldness.

FAQs

How can I use "would never dare" in a sentence?

Use "would never dare" to express that someone lacks the courage or willingness to do something, often due to fear, respect, or a sense of propriety. For example: "She "would never dare" to question her boss's decisions."

What does "would never dare" imply about the action being avoided?

The phrase "would never dare" implies that the action is either risky, disrespectful, or socially unacceptable in some way. It suggests a strong deterrent, beyond mere disinterest or inability.

Which is more emphatic: "would never dare" or "wouldn't dare"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, ""would never dare"" often carries a stronger sense of improbability or fear than "wouldn't dare".

What are some alternatives to "would never dare" that convey a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "wouldn't dream of", "would not dare", or "would be too afraid to", depending on the specific nuance you want to emphasize.