The word “dare” functions as a verb as well as a noun. The verb “dare” means, challenge someone to do something or being able to or unable to take the challenge of doing something.
When you mean to ask someone whether you have courage to admit the truth, you can use “dare”.
Do you dare to admit the truth ?
Usually, “dare” is used in instances where someone is willing to perform an action as a proof of courage.
She dares to go against her parents' will.
I dare you to request your boss for a salary increment these days.
When we consider “dare” as a semi-modal verb, it either functions as an ordinary verb (main verb) or as an auxiliary verb which helps the main verb to create a full meaning.
Dare is often used as an ordinary verb, usually functioning as the main verb of a sentence. In such circumstances, we usually use “to” along with Dare.
When you use “Dare” as a main verb, you can write positive sentences (Affirmative), negative sentences as well as questions.
| Present Tense | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dare | do not dare | Do you dare? |
| Dares | does not dare | Does she dare ? |
| Past Tense | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dared | did not dare | Did he dare? |
| Future Tense | ||
|---|---|---|
| Will dare | will not dare | Will you dare? |
Grammatically, “do”, “does” , “did” or “will” are used to create negative sentences and questions using “dare” as the main verb. The word dare is followed by “to”, but in use you can also omit it.
When it is used as an auxiliary verb, it does not have to be formed based on its subject. Therefore, even if your subject is a third person singular (eg: she) , we use “dare” as the modal verb.
The modal auxiliary “Dare” is followed by an infinitive (the base form of an action verb) which functions as the main verb. This pattern works without “to”. This is similar to the verb structure in Simple Future Tense or using the modal verb can.
Will / can - a modal auxiliary
Meet / dance - the base form of the main verb
Similarly you can use the modal auxiliary “dare” along with another main verb / infinitive. :- dare meet, dare talk
Dare is the modal auxiliary and the main verb comes next.
When Dare is used as an auxiliary, you find them in either negative sentences or questions.
| Dare not | Present Tense |
| Dared not | Past Tense |
| Dare you? | Present Tense |
| Dare she? | Present Tense |
| Dared you? | Past Tense |
| Dared she? | Past Tense |
( We do not use “to” here )
Semi Modal “Dare” is not used as an auxiliary in Future Tense
When dare is used with the words like “nobody, no one” you can either use “to” or omit. Either way is correct.
How dare ..(someone)..
This pattern is used when you are so surprised by someone's unexpected behaviour.
This sentence expresses the speaker’s opinion as to how rude or how silly you are to do something that you are not supposed to do.
Here, you are questioning someone’s right to perform an action.
Past Tense
When you use the “How dare” combination it conveys that the speaker is annoyed and there is a tone of anger in it.
“Dare” means - to be brave enough to do something.
The one speaking, can use this phrase to challenge him. One can also encourage someone to do something expecting a positive result.
Present : -
Past : -
Future: -
If you say, I wouldn’t dare (do something.) you mean that you have no courage to do it. You can also mean that you are not willing to do something because you fear the consequences.
This phrase works as a warning !
Someone is planning to do something that he or she is not supposed to do. The meaning is “Don’t do it !”
This is a good example where we use “dare” as a modal auxiliary in affirmative.
When you suggest that something is likely to happen, you can say “I dare say!” which is similar to the expression; “I suppose”.
Dare Say is often used with “I” ; the first person singular pronoun. “Daresay” can be written as one word as well as two words; “dare say”.
It's a proverb which means; Don’t just follow others. You become brave enough to step out of the mold here. The proverb means “Do not just get enslaved to public opinions, do the right thing even if you are alone and different from others.
Let’s analyze this conversation.
| Riya: | Hello Maya! The class is about to begin. |
| I dare you to do your individual presentation today. (Dare as a modal auxiliary, main verb is do) | |
| Maya: | I don’t think so, Riya! |
| I dare not do the presentation today. (Dare as a modal auxiliary, main verb is do) | |
| Infact, I don’t like dares. (Dares here is a Plural Noun ) | |
| Riya: | Don’t take it seriously. |
| I don’t mean to dare you. (The main verb here is - mean, Auxiliary verb is “do” , “dare” here is an ordinary verb) |
A modal verb is a type of verb that indicates an opinion about something or someone. Modal verbs come under the category of Auxiliary verbs in English. Each and every modal verb expresses different opinions. This opinion or feeling is called “modality”......
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