dare

Question

'I'll tell Dad.' 'You wouldn't dare!'What does the second speech mean?Especially what does 'would' mean here?

GPY · Accepted Answer

I see this "would" as a sort of combination of hypothetical (describing an imagined situation) and volitional (referring to the other person's volition or will to do it). Different people may have different opinions.

CalifJim · Answer

contrapositionWhat does the second speech mean?

"You wouldn't dare!" in that context means, more or less, "You don't have the courage to do that!", the implication being that the speaker may deal out some punishment if it happens. 'would' is used because there is a hypothetical element involved. It's uncertain whether the first person would tell Dad or not.

As GPY says, there's also some involvement of the will. It's a little like saying "You don't want to do that (because you'll regret it if you do)".

CJ

MrGuedes · Answer

contraposition'I'll tell Dad.' 'You wouldn't dare!'

The second speaker is saying that the first speaker would never have the courage to denounce the second speaker to their father. ‘Would’ implies a hypothesis.

It's like he is saying, ‘I know you. I know that you are not the kind of guy who denounces others. I know that you would never (dare to) denounce me, your brother.’

Now, the first speaker can confess his inability to denounce the second speaker, saying something like, ‘You're right. I wouldn't dare.’ Or he can reject it, saying he could really do so, by saying, ‘Yes, I would.’

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