nerve = courage?

[bridge78]

If you are a courageous person, is it correct to use nerve as well? As in:

You show a lot of nerve.

Or is co​urage the only correct word in this context?

 

[billmcd]

If you are a courageous person, is it correct to use nerve as well? As in:

You show a lot of nerve.

Or is co​urage the only correct word in this context?

"Courage" would be the correct term in that context.. "Nerve", usually with "have" has a negative connotation.

 

[bridge78]

Thanks a bunch. Does the same go for 'dare'? As in

You dare to stand up for something.

And does 'You are daring' imply the same?

 

[billmcd]

Thanks a bunch. Does the same go for 'dare'? As in

You dare to stand up for something. Courage with potential risk.

And does 'You are daring' imply the same? Yes.

b.

 

[bridge78]

Thanks!

 

[emsr2d2]

"Courage" would be the correct term in that context.. "Nerve", usually with "have" has a negative connotation.

I can't agree with this in quite such black and white terms.

It's true that "What a nerve" would normally be used when complaining that someone had the affront to do something you didn't like.

However, I would have no problem with something like "He showed a lot of nerve" when referring to someone who has done something which took a lot of courage. I don't mean rescuing a child from a burning building (I would refer to that as courage) but I mean something like diving off a 20-metre high platform (diving as a sport) or going pot-holing and squeezing through a terrifyingly small space.

 

[bridge78]

OK, clear. Thank you.

 

[konungursvia]

Yes, but courage is nearly always an automatic compliment, whereas nerve can go either way, and is frequently used to show cheek, or gall.

 

[emsr2d2]

Yes, but courage is nearly always an automatic compliment, whereas nerve can go either way, and is frequently used to show cheek, or gall.

Yes, that's true. Whether "nerve" was being used as a compliment or not would be clear from the context and tone of voice.