- Have you ever wondered if you should “make” courage or “take” courage?
- Do you find yourself repeating the word “brave” because you aren’t sure which words pair naturally with “courage”?
- Are you looking for the exact phrases native speakers use to describe emotional or physical strength?
Mastering Courage Collocations is a vital step for any English learner moving from intermediate to advanced fluency. In English, we don’t just “have” courage; we summon it, pluck it up, and display it. Using these natural word combinations reduces your mental translation time and helps you sound more professional and authentic in both written and spoken contexts.
Essential Collocations using Courage as a Noun
In modern English, “courage” functions exclusively as a noun. While it is related to the verb “encourage,” the word “courage” itself does not act as a verb. To use it correctly, you must pair it with the right verbs and adjectives.
Verbs for “Finding” or “Creating” Courage
These collocations describe the internal process of preparing yourself to do something difficult or frightening.
- Summon (the) courage: To make a great effort to be brave.
Example: She finally summoned the courage to ask her boss for a raise. - Pluck up (the) courage: (Mainly UK) To force yourself to be brave enough to do something.
Example: It took him all day to pluck up the courage to call her. - Screw up your courage: (Informal) To tighten your resolve before a difficult task.
Example: I had to screw up my courage before stepping onto the stage. - Find the courage: To discover the bravery within yourself.
Example: I hope you find the courage to follow your dreams.
Verbs for “Showing” Courage
Use these when you want to describe how someone acts when they are in a difficult situation.
- Show courage: To demonstrate bravery through actions.
Example: The young boy showed great courage during his long stay in the hospital. - Display courage: A slightly more formal way to say someone showed bravery.
Example: The firemen displayed incredible courage while entering the burning building. - Require courage: When a situation is difficult and needs a brave person.
Example: Living in a foreign country alone requires a lot of courage.
Adjectives Used with Courage
These words modify “courage” to show what kind or how much bravery is being used.
- Moral courage: The courage to do what is right, even if it is unpopular.
Example: It takes moral courage to speak up against injustice. - Physical courage: Bravery in the face of physical pain or danger.
Example: Soldiers are often recognized for their physical courage on the battlefield. - Remarkable / Incredible courage: Used to emphasize a very high level of bravery.
Example: She faced her illness with remarkable courage. - Dutch courage: (Idiomatic/Modern) False courage gained from drinking alcohol.
Example: He drank a quick shot of whiskey for a bit of Dutch courage before his speech.
The Master Summary Table
| Collocation | Part of Speech | Quick Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Summon courage | Verb + Noun | To gather your internal strength. |
| Moral courage | Adjective + Noun | Bravery based on ethics/values. |
| Pluck up courage | Verb + Noun | To force yourself to be brave. |
| Show courage | Verb + Noun | To act in a brave way. |
| Great courage | Adjective + Noun | A significant amount of bravery. |
| Courage to [verb] | Noun + Infinitive | The bravery needed for an action. |
Common Mistakes: Natural vs Unnatural
| Do Not Say | Say This |
|---|---|
| Make courage | Summon / Find the courage |
| He has a big courage | He has great courage / He is very courageous |
| Take courage to do | It takes courage to do (or) Have the courage to do |
| Give me courage (to mean motivate) | Encourage me |
Courage Collocations in Context
“When I decided to pivot my career at 40, I knew it would require immense courage. I had to summon the courage to leave my stable job and start from scratch. My family showed remarkable courage by supporting me through the financial uncertainty. It wasn’t just about physical courage or working hard; it was about having the moral courage to follow a path that others thought was risky. Eventually, I found the courage to launch my own firm, and I’ve never looked back.”
Frequently Asked Questions about Courage Collocations
Is “courage” a countable or uncountable noun?
Courage is primarily an uncountable noun. We do not say “three courages.” However, we can use “acts of courage” if we want to count specific instances of brave behavior.
What is the difference between “courage” and “bravery”?
While often used interchangeably, “courage” often implies a conscious mental or moral decision to face fear, while “bravery” is often seen as a more spontaneous or physical quality. You “summon courage,” but you “act with bravery.”
Which preposition follows “courage”?
The most common preposition is “to” (courage to do something) or “in” (courage in the face of danger). We also use “of” when describing a type, such as “a man of courage.”
Can I say “take courage”?
Yes, but it has a specific meaning. “Take courage” is a slightly formal or old-fashioned way of saying “be encouraged” or “don’t lose hope.” For example: “Take courage, things will get better.” If you mean “become brave enough to do something,” use “find the courage” instead.
What does “the courage of your convictions” mean?
This is a common idiom meaning the bravery to act according to your beliefs, even if others disagree or it is difficult to do so.
Collocations are truly the secret sauce for sounding fluent. This article is a fantastic reminder to always learn words in context, not just in isolation!
What about 'mustered courage'? I sometimes hear that, is it similar to 'summon'?
Can you give one more example for 'summon the courage' related to public speaking? That's my biggest fear!
Of course, Diego! For public speaking, you could say: 'Before giving his presentation, he had to *summon the courage* to face the large audience.' Or, 'It took her weeks to *summon the courage* to sign up for the open mic night.' You'll get there!
I'm always looking for ways to get my students thinking beyond single words. This article on collocations with 'courage' is perfect. It demonstrates how native speakers combine words for specific meanings. Thank you!
In my language, we would just say 'show courage'. Is 'show courage' also a natural collocation in English, or is it more basic?
Yes, 'show courage' is absolutely a natural and very common collocation in English, Omar! It's a straightforward way to express that someone is demonstrating bravery. While 'summon' and 'pluck up' describe the *internal process* of finding courage, 'show' and 'display' describe the *external action* of exhibiting it. All are perfectly valid!
The point about 'courage' being exclusively a noun is super helpful! I used to get confused thinking it could be a verb because of 'encourage'. This really clears things up.
Could you give a few more examples for 'pluck up the courage'? I'm trying to imagine different scenarios where it would fit perfectly, maybe something less serious than asking for a raise.
Certainly, Wei! 'Pluck up the courage' is great for everyday acts of bravery: 'He finally *plucked up the courage* to ask her out.' or 'I had to *pluck up the courage* to tell my friend I accidentally broke her mug.' It often implies overcoming shyness or a minor fear.
This is fantastic for teaching nuanced vocabulary. I encourage my students to use phrasebooks, but articles like this explain the *why* behind the collocations, which is invaluable. Thank you for this!
Is it always 'summon *the* courage' or sometimes just 'summon courage'? Does the article matter here?
That's a very perceptive question, Kai! While 'summon *the* courage' is more common and often implies a specific, identified act of courage, you can sometimes say 'summon courage' in a more general sense, especially when talking about a general quality or the internal process itself without a specific task in mind. However, when referring to a specific situation, 'the' is usually preferred.
The point about sounding more 'authentic' really resonates with me. I've always felt my English was good but a bit stiff. Mastering these collocations is exactly what I need to sound more natural. Thank you!