Encourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "encourage" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It means to give someone support, confidence, or hope to do something. Example: I want to encourage my students to work hard and never give up on their goals.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I want to promote marriage, defend marriage, encourage marriage.

The Guardian

Obama was pointing to the bipartisan effort to get the program launched in Massachusetts to encourage his opponents to stop rooting for his law's failure.

The Guardian

"You encourage democracy over time, with assistance, and aid, the traditional way.

The Economist

And as for caring about the decency (BNP supporters aside) and potential of individual voters, or genuinely acting to preserve and encourage their humanity.

The Guardian

"It's a crucial part of the vision of the institution even to be a little bit disputatious in a way, and that's something we're actively trying to seek, not as a way of shocking people for no good reason, but to encourage conversation".

The Guardian - Arts

The forum's website carries photographs of Hockey and says: "On behalf of Joe Hockey I encourage you to join the North Sydney Forum and to offer your practical support to Joe Hockey".

The Guardian

'The confidence which came from a second victory would encourage the Government to reclaim the principles it had abandoned.

The Guardian

When he wasn't tangling with his host, Pyne used the interview to encourage his colleagues to stay the course.

The Guardian

The LGAQ encourage councils to use apps but advise buying them "off the shelf" or partnering with software developers as it can be more benefitial than going it alone.

The Guardian

He also acknowledges that the SDLP has suffered from being stereotyped as the Stormont psychiatrist, trying to encourage unionists and republicans alike to analyse their problems as each new nervous breakdown hits the peace process, but sometimes missing out on a share of the glory when the crisis passes.

The Guardian

The transport minister, Theresa Villiers, said the consultation would ask whether longer franchises, of between 15 and 20 years, would encourage operators to finance improvements in in trains and services.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms of "encourage" like "motivate" or "inspire" to add nuance and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "encourage" in contexts where it implies promoting harmful or unethical behavior. Ensure the action being encouraged is positive and constructive.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Encourage" is as a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, indicating who or what is being motivated or supported. Ludwig AI, having processed numerous examples, confirms this consistent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Encourage" is a versatile and frequently used transitive verb that means to inspire, support, or promote. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound and commonly found in various contexts such as news, business, and science. To enhance your writing, remember to clearly state what's being encouraged and consider using synonyms like "motivate" or "inspire" to add nuance. Be mindful of the connotations and avoid using "encourage" in contexts that promote negative actions. By following these guidelines, you can effectively use "encourage" to convey your intended message with clarity and impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Embolden

Suggests giving someone the courage to do something.

Motivate

Focuses more on providing a reason or incentive to act.

Give confidence to

Highlights building self-assurance in someone.

Inspire

Implies instilling enthusiasm and creativity.

Support

Emphasizes providing assistance and resources.

Urge

Suggests a stronger and more insistent form of recommendation.

Promote

Focuses on advancing or advocating for something.

Foster

Implies nurturing and helping something grow.

Advocate

Suggests publicly supporting or recommending a particular cause or policy.

Incite

Implies provoking or urging action, sometimes with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How to use "Encourage" in a sentence?

You can use "Encourage" to express support or motivation, as in "I want to encourage my students to pursue their dreams." It can also mean to promote something, such as "We encourage the use of bicycles."

What can I say instead of "Encourage"?

You can use alternatives like "motivate", "inspire", or "support" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "Encourage" or "Discourage"?

"Encourage" and "Discourage" are antonyms. "Encourage" means to give support, while "Discourage" means to dissuade or prevent. The correct choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "Encourage" and "Persuade"?

"Encourage" means to give someone confidence or hope, while "Persuade" implies convincing someone to do something. You might "encourage" someone to try a new hobby, but "persuade" them to invest in your company.