daresay

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitiveformal

   To feel fairly sure that something is true, while admitting you cannot be certain.

   Grammar: Almost only used as I daresay, followed by a clause: I daresay he will come.

   Patterns

   • I daresay (that) something
   • I daresay so

   I daresay you are right about the weather.

   He will be late, I daresay, as usual.

   I daresay she knows more than she admits.

2. 2verbtransitiveformal

   Used when you agree that something is possible but suggest it makes little difference to your view.

   Grammar: Often placed mid-sentence: they are, I daresay, very kind, but...

   Patterns

   • I daresay, but ...

   I daresay it is cheaper, but the quality is poor.

   It may be fun, I daresay, though it is not for me.

   He means well, I daresay, but he keeps making mistakes.

Word forms

Common combinations

I daresay

I daresay we will manage without him.

I daresay you are right

I daresay you are right about the train times.

as you will, I daresay

You have heard the story before, I daresay.

I daresay so

Will it rain? I daresay so.

Synonyms and how they differ

suppose

Suppose is more neutral and everyday, whereas daresay sounds polite, old-fashioned and a touch more confident.

expect

Expect leans toward predicting the future, while daresay suggests mild certainty about a present opinion.

dare to say

Dare to say means to be bold enough to say something, which is a different, more daring meaning.

Word family

dare verb

to have the courage to do something

dare say phrase

two-word spelling of daresay

daring adjective

brave and willing to take risks

Commonly confused: daresay or dare to say?

Practice

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