dare 1
I dare to say that the book is worth reading.
I daresay that the book is worth reading. 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
‘How dare you to come in without knocking!’ he shouted.
‘How dare you come in without knocking!’ he shouted. 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
He dares to die rather than break his promise.
He is prepared to die rather than break his promise. I didn’t enjoy the drink but I dared to try it again.
I didn’t enjoy the drink but I was ready to try it again. 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
His mother thinks that somebody must have dared him steal the bicycle.
His mother thinks that somebody must have dared him to steal the bicycle. dare sb to do sth : ‘I dare you to drink it.’ ‘They dared me to do it again.’ daren’t I daren’t to ask her for any more money.
I daren’t ask her for any more money. daren’t do sth (WITHOUT to ): ‘I daren’t tell George what happened or he’ll be furious.’ Compare: ‘I don’t dare tell/to tell George what happened ... .’
