dare
used as an intransitive verb
If you dare to do something, you have the courage to do it. You use dare on its own, or with an infinitive with or without to.
I went to see him as often as I dared.
It's remarkable that she dared to be so honest.
In this meaning, dare is often used in negative sentences and questions.
If someone daren't do something, they don't have enough courage to do it.
I daren't ring Jeremy again.
In American English, the contraction ‘daren’t' is not used. American English uses the full form dare not instead.
I dare not leave you here alone.
Be careful
You must use an infinitive without to after daren't and dare not. Don't say, for example, ‘I daren’t to ring Jeremy again'.
You must use an infinitive without to after daren't and dare not. Don't say, for example, ‘I daren’t to ring Jeremy again'.
If you are talking about the past, you say that someone did not dare do something or didn't dare do something. After did not dare and didn't dare you can use an infinitive with or without to.
She did not dare leave the path.
I didn't dare to speak or move.
In formal writing, you can say that someone dares not do something. Dare not is always followed by an infinitive without to.
He dared not show that he was afraid.
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In other kinds of negative sentence, you can use an infinitive with or without to after dare.
No one dares disturb him.
No other manager dared to compete.
In yes/no-questions, you put the base form dare in front of the subject without using an auxiliary verb or modal. After the subject, you use an infinitive without to.
Dare she go in?
In wh-questions, you use a modal such as would in front of dare. After dare, you use an infinitive with or without to.
Who will dare to tell him?
What bank would dare offer such terms?
used as a transitive verb
If you dare someone to do something, you challenge them to prove that they are not frightened of doing it.
I dare you to swim across the lake.
She glared at Simon, daring him to disagree.
‘I dare say’
You say I dare say or I daresay to show that you think that something is probably true.
It's worth a few pounds, I dare say, but no more.
Well, I daresay you've spent all your money by now.
Be careful
I dare say is a fixed phrase. Don't say, for example, ‘You dare say’ or ‘I dare to say’.
I dare say is a fixed phrase. Don't say, for example, ‘You dare say’ or ‘I dare to say’.