Use of DARE
There are two ways to use Dare -- as a principal verb
- as a defective verb
Dare as a Principal Verb
i) When used as a principal verb, dare means challenge.
ii) It can have the following three forms as a principal verb : dare, dares, dared.
iii) It is used with all the tenses
iv) In affirmative sentences it is followed by “to”
Examples:
1. He dares to face his enemy.
2. He dared to face his enemy.
Dare as a Defective Verb
i) As a defective verb, dare means to venture.
ii) It can have the following three forms as a defective verb : dare, durst, durst.
iii) As a defective verb, it is used only in the negative and interrogative sentences.
iv) When used in this form, it is not followed by “to”
Examples:
1. He dare not face the beast. ------
Present Tense
2. Dare he face the beast?
3. He durst not face the beast.------
Past Tense
4. Durst he face the beast?
5. How durst he face the beast?
Common Errors in the use of Dare
1. We
cannot accept their challenge, they are too powerful. -
Incorrect
We
dare not accept their challenge, they are too powerful. -
Correct
