dare to + verb
Showing courage to act
This is the standard pattern after dare in affirmative statements.
She dared to complain.
They dared to enter the cave.
Dare to, for, on, as, or at?
Dare is most commonly followed by an infinitive with to. Other prepositions appear only in separate expressions.
Quick answer
How is dare used?
Use dare to + verb for courage or willingness: She dared to speak. Dare for is uncommon in standard English. Dare on appears in fixed expressions such as dare on the ice, where on shows place. Dare as is not a standard pattern. Dare at appears in expressions like dare at your own risk, where at belongs to another phrase.
He dared to ask a question.
Few people dare to disagree publicly.
Children should not dare on thin ice.
Few people dare to disagree publicly.
Children should not dare on thin ice.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
dare + bare infinitive
Using dare without to
In questions and negatives, dare can be followed by the base verb without to.
How dare you speak to me like that?
I dare not mention it.
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
dare to
He dared to challenge the decision.
Standard pattern expressing courage.
dare for
They dared each other for fun.
For belongs to the phrase for fun, not directly to dare.
dare on
Do not dare on the frozen lake.
On introduces location, not a fixed dare pattern.
dare as
She worked as a guide and dared to travel alone.
As is not normally selected by dare.
dare at
Visitors enter at their own risk and dare to climb higher.
At belongs to another phrase, not to dare.
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Using dare for as a direct pattern
Standard English does not normally use dare for directly after dare.
✕ He dared for speak. ✓ He dared to speak.Adding as after dare
Dare is not followed by as in standard verb patterns.
✕ She dared as complain. ✓ She dared to complain.Forgetting the infinitive
Use to before the main verb in affirmative statements.
✕ They dared enter the room yesterday. ✓ They dared to enter the room yesterday.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. She dared ___ the manager about the error.
2. How dare you ___ that?
3. The hikers did not dare ___ closer.
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Frequently asked questions
Is dare to always necessary?
No. Questions and negatives often use dare without to, especially in formal English.
Can I use dare with a noun?
Yes. As a noun, dare means a challenge, as in It was a dare.
Is dare for ever correct?
Not as a standard verb pattern. For may appear in a separate phrase such as for money or for fun.
Related preposition guides
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