DARE


Meaning of DARE in English

verb

1

BAD : I dare to say that the book is worth reading.

GOOD : I daresay that the book is worth reading.

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I daresay (also written I dare say ) is a fixed phrase: 'I dare say that we'll be hearing from them again.' 'The team will put up a good performance, I daresay, but I don't think they'll win.'

2

BAD : 'How dare you to come in without knocking!' he shouted.

GOOD : 'How dare you come in without knocking!' he shouted.

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When dare comes in front of the subject, use an infinitive WITHOUT to : 'How dare you say such a thing!' 'Dare I mention it to her? She'll be furious.'

3

BAD : He dares to die rather than break his promise.

GOOD : He is prepared to die rather than break his promise.

BAD : I didn't enjoy the drink but I dared to try it again.

GOOD : I didn't enjoy the drink but I was ready to try it again.

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Dare (= have enough courage) is used mainly in negative sentences and questions: 'I wouldn't dare to take the car without permission.' 'She stood at the edge of the cliff, not daring to look down.'

In affirmative sentences, use be ready/prepared/willing : 'Some people are prepared to do anything for money.' 'Despite the threat on his life, he's ready to testify.'

4

BAD : His mother thinks that somebody must have dared him steal the bicycle.

GOOD : His mother thinks that somebody must have dared him to steal the bicycle.

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dare sb to do sth : 'I dare you to drink it.' 'They dared me to do it again.'

Longman Common Errors English vocabulary.      Английский словарь распространенных ошибок Longman.