I strongly encourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I strongly encourage" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to motivate or persuade someone to take a specific action or adopt a certain behavior. Example: "I strongly encourage you to participate in the upcoming workshop to enhance your skills."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Quite the opposite, I strongly encourage it.

The Guardian - Opinion

I strongly encourage musicians to speak directly to audiences.

The New York Times - Arts

I strongly encourage helmet use for all ages.

The New York Times

I strongly encourage you to donate to either/both.

The Economist

For any student, I strongly encourage concerted efforts to improve standardized testing performance.

The New York Times

If you can't make it to San Giovanni Rotondo, I strongly encourage a visit to the Auditorium.

The New York Times - Arts

"I strongly encourage Facebook to structure all its programs to allow Facebook users to give permission before their information is shared with third parties".

The New York Times

If you read this week's column on Leonard Cohen, I strongly encourage you to double-fist with Robert Christgau's Cohen essay.

The New Yorker

By Sasha Frere-Jones August 19, 2009 If you read this week's column on Leonard Cohen, I strongly encourage you to double-fist with Robert Christgau's Cohen essay.

The New Yorker

"I strongly encourage owners to come forward immediately, even if they believe their property has been listed in error," she said.

The New York Times

As a long time comic book geek, I strongly encourage Kobe not to give up and demand more elaborate, personalized masks.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context. While generally appropriate, in very formal settings, a slightly more subdued expression might be preferable.

Common error

While "I strongly encourage" is generally acceptable, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Overusing strong language can diminish its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I strongly encourage" functions as a directive speech act, expressing a strong recommendation or urging. According to Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase, serving to motivate or persuade someone towards a specific action. The examples showcase its use in diverse contexts, such as promoting helmet use or advocating for policy changes.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I strongly encourage" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey a strong recommendation or urging. According to Ludwig, it's appropriate for motivating action across various domains. As the numerous examples demonstrate, it's commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts. Alternatives such as "I highly recommend" or "I urge you to" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. While generally acceptable, remember to consider the audience and avoid overuse in overly informal settings for maximum impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I highly recommend

Suggests a high degree of approval and positive endorsement.

I urge you to

Emphasizes the importance of the action being encouraged, conveying a sense of urgency.

I advise you to

Offers a more advisory tone, suggesting a course of action based on expertise or experience.

I recommend

A simpler, more straightforward way of suggesting something.

I advocate for

Indicates public support and promotion of a particular cause or action.

I exhort you to

A more formal and emphatic way of urging someone to do something.

I appeal to you to

Expresses a serious request, often used when asking for help or support.

I implore you to

Conveys a sense of desperation or urgent need.

I invite you to

Offers a friendly and welcoming suggestion.

I propose

Suggests a plan or course of action for consideration.

FAQs

What does "I strongly encourage" mean?

It means to urge or recommend something with considerable enthusiasm or conviction. It signifies a belief that the suggested action is beneficial or important.

How can I use "I strongly encourage" in a sentence?

You can use it to recommend actions or behaviors. For example, "I strongly encourage you to apply for the scholarship" or "I strongly encourage everyone to participate in the survey".

What can I say instead of "I strongly encourage"?

You can use alternatives like "I highly recommend", "I urge you to", or "I advise you to" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "I encourage" or "I strongly encourage"?

"I strongly encourage" emphasizes your conviction more than a simple "I encourage". The choice depends on how strongly you feel about the recommendation.