The use of 'dare' to express courage or lack of courage

Daren't is used in the present (to refer to present or future time) and

can be replaced by am/is/are afraid to:

I'd like to ask for the day off, but I daren't(= I'm afraid to)

Don't dare to (regular verb) is acceptable in the present: I'd like to ask for the day off, but I don't dare (to)

Didn't dare to is used in the past:

/ wanted to ask for the day off, but I didn't dare (to)

Dare can also be used in the affirmative, but this is less common: Sally is the only person in our class who dares (to)answer Miss Thompson back

11.68 'Dare' for 'challenging'

Dare as a full transitive verb is used especially by children when challenging each other to do something dangerous:

/ dare you to jump off that wall

I didn't want to do it, but he dared me (to)

Dare' for expressing outrage

Dare, as a modal, is often used to reprimand and express outrage or

strong disapproval. It is especially common after How:

How dare you! How dare she suggest such a thing'

Don't you dare speak to me like that again'

You dare raise your voice! [imperative, > 9.54]

^ I'm going to smash this vase! - Just you dare!

Dared can be used after How in: e.g. How dared he tell everybody I was looking for a new job ?

11.70 The use of 'daresay'

The verbs dare and say can combine into a single verb, daresay, (sometimes spelt as two separate words, dare say) which can be used in the first person singular and plural (present tense only) to mean / suppose or it's possible:

I daresay you'll phone me if you re going to be late tonight Or in the sense of 'accept what you say': This is supposed to be a cheap restaurant It says so in this guidebook - I daresayit does, but look at these prices¹

Other uses of modal auxiliaries