Indicating obligation and willingness
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Using the semi-modal dare to indicate willingness | page 1 of 3 |
Introduction
Willingness typically involves functions such as making offers, stating intentions
(promises and threats) and indicating how determined or willing the speaker is to do
something. Speakers are able to indicate willingness in a number of ways 
.
This file gives details about the semi-modal dare which can be used to
express a special aspect of willingness 
. The degree of willingness typically conveyed by dare is
low willingness, which can be glossed as acceptance - but with a difference: we
normally use dare when referring to whether or not someone is inclined to do
something that requires great courage:
The remaining tertiary places have just become first-come, first-served and if you (a matriculated student) dare walk in and ask for an offer at once, even though you might have only three Cs, you have made it. (SCMP 25/8/92)
Will it be that the staff who dare speak out will go, while those who are willing to keep quiet for the sake of their jobs or promotion will stay?
Note that dare can be used both as a normal verb, and more rarely, as a modal. However, it does not behave like the other modal verbs, and for this reason, it is called a semi-modal. Note that dare has the same meaning in its modal form as when it is followed by a to-infinitive clause.
For further information about using modals, see 
Indicating obligation and willingness:
Using modal verbs to indicate willingness.
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Introduction
