dare
B2Informal to semi-formal. More common in spoken and conversational English than in very formal writing.
Definition
Meaning
To have the courage or boldness to do something challenging, risky, or forbidden.
Can function as a main verb or a modal auxiliary verb, often implying a challenge or provocation. Can also be a noun meaning a challenge to prove courage.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Has a dual grammatical nature: as a main verb ("I dare to say") and as a semi-modal auxiliary ("How dare you!"). The modal usage is more common in negative and interrogative forms.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Very minimal. In UK English, the past tense 'durst' is archaic but may appear in literature; not used in modern AmE. Negation patterns are identical.
Connotations
Slight nuance: US English may use 'dare' more freely in structures like "I dare say," which in modern UK English can sound slightly old-fashioned or deliberate.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties. The noun form 'dare' (e.g., 'a dare') is perhaps slightly more common in AmE youth/casual contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
dare to do somethingdare someone to do somethingdare not do something (modal)How dare you do something?Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “How dare you!”
- “I dare say (daresay)”
- “don't you dare”
- “double dare”
- “truth or dare”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used in motivational contexts: 'We dare to innovate.'
Academic
Uncommon. Could appear in philosophical/political texts discussing courage.
Everyday
Very common in challenges, warnings, and expressions of shock/outrage.
Technical
Not applicable.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- No one dared to mention the incident.
- How dare she speak to you like that!
- I daren't ask him for another favour.
American English
- She wouldn't dare go in there alone.
- I dare you to eat the whole chilli pepper.
- Don't you dare touch that!
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Not commonly used as a pure adjective. The participial form 'daring' is used: 'a daring escape'.
American English
- Not commonly used as a pure adjective. The participial form 'daring' is used: 'a daring mission'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I dare not go out in the dark.
- He did not dare to tell his mother.
- Do you dare to ask for a pay rise?
- She dared him to jump into the lake.
- Few politicians dare to challenge the popular opinion.
- I dare say you're probably right about that.
- How dare you impugn my integrity in front of the committee!
- The new collection dares to blend classical motifs with brutalist architecture.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DARing EAGLE soaring over a cliff – it DAREs to fly where others fear to go.
Conceptual Metaphor
COURAGE IS A CONTAINER OF BOLDNESS ('She's full of dare'), CHALLENGE IS A THROWN OBJECT ('I threw down a dare').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation of 'осмелиться' only for past events; 'dare' focuses on the moment of courage/challenge, not the completed action. 'How dare you!' translates to 'Как ты смеешь!', not 'Как ты осмелился'. The noun 'смелость' is 'courage', not 'dare' (which is 'вызов').
Common Mistakes
- *I didn't dared to go. (Correct: I didn't dare (to) go.)
- *I dare you doing that. (Correct: I dare you to do that.)
- Overusing the infinitive 'to' after modal 'dare' in negatives: 'He dare not to speak' (Correct: He dare not speak).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'dare' used as a semi-modal auxiliary verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a main verb, it uses 'do' for questions/negatives and is followed by 'to + infinitive' (I don't dare to go). As a modal, it doesn't use 'do', is followed by a bare infinitive, and is common in negatives and questions (Dare I go? I dare not go).
It is understood but is far less common than in British English. Americans typically use 'don't/doesn't dare' or 'wouldn't dare' instead.
Yes, as a main verb: 'He dared to complain.' The modal form in the past is rare and often replaced: 'He didn't dare complain' / 'He dared not complain' (more literary).
It's a fixed phrase meaning 'I suppose' or 'it is probable'. It often expresses a polite understatement or mild assumption (e.g., 'I dare say you're tired after your journey').