Unit 6.2
Dare as a semi-modal verb
Print This Post
Advertising
Introduction
The verb dare is both a main verb and a semi-modal verb. It means to challenge someone to do something he/she is afraid of doing or to have the courage to do something.
When it has the function as a modal verb, dare follows all the grammatical rules of modals.
Form
The verb dare is both a main verb and a semi-modal verb.
When we use dare as a modal verb:
- we do not find the to + verb after dare;
- we form question and negative forms without the auxiliary do;
- we do not apply the -ing form to dare;
- we do not add an -s for the third person singular.
Dare, as an semi-modal verb, always has the same form even for the third person, and we find this structure in its three forms: affirmative, negative and interrogative.
Affirmative
Its structure, in the affirmative form, is:
Subject + dare + zero infinitive
| SUBJECT | DARE | VERB |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | dare | work |
| He/She/It | dare | work |
| We/You/They | dare | work |
Negative
Its full structure, in the negative form, is:
Subject + dare + not + zero infinitive
Negative short form is daren’t:
Subject + daren’t + zero infinitive
| SUBJECT | DARE + NOT | VERB |
|---|---|---|
| I/You | dare not/daren’t |
work |
| He/She/It | dare not/daren’t | work |
| We/You/They | dare not/daren’t | work |
Interrogative
Its structure, in the interrogative form, is:
Dare + subject + zero infinitive + ?
| DARE | SUBJECT | VERB | QUESTION MARK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dare | I/you | work | …? |
| Dare | he/she/it | work | …? |
| Dare | we/you/they | work | …? |
Example
- I dare not tell everyone they were cowardice. /
I dare not to tell everyone they were cowardice. - Dare anyone make a bet there? /
Does anyonedaremake a bet there? - No one dare speak with a dictator. /
No one is daring speak with a dictator. - She dare show me her diary. /
She dares show me her diary.
Use
Dare is used as a semi-modal verb or an ordinary one.
NOTE: Dare is not a very common verb, but we use it above all in set phrases such as: Don’t you dare! or How dare you?
Summary
The verb dare is both a main verb and a semi-modal verb. It means to challenge someone to do something he/she is afraid of doing or to have the courage to do something.
When it has the function as a modal verb, dare follows all the grammatical rules of modals: it is followed by the bare infinitive form; we form question and negative forms without the auxiliary do; we do not apply the -ing form to dare; we do not add an -s for the third person singular.
We can use it in its different forms:
- affirmative: we start with the subject followed by dare and a zero infinitive;
- negative: we start with the subject followed by dare, not, and a zero infinitive;
- interrogative: we start with dare followed by the subject and a zero infinitive (the sentence ends with a question mark).
For example:
— Affirmative: “You dare tell our parents what happened yesterday.”
— Negative: “You dare not tell our parents what happened yesterday.”
— Interrogative: “Dare you tell our parents what happened yesterday?”
♦ “I dare you to tell our parents what happened yesterday.” = We use dare as a main verb to challenge someone to do something by using the to-infinitive to tell.
Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.
Exercises
Content Rating
Please, tell us how to improve the content here.
What did you think of our explanations and exercises?
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...Ambassadors
Open TextBooks are collaborative projects, with people from all over the world bringing their skills and interests to join in the compilation and dissemination of knowledge to everyone and everywhere.
Become an Ambassador and write your textbooks.
Online Teaching
Become a Books4Languages Online tutor & teacher.
More information here about how to be a tutor.
