be encouraged about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be encouraged about" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward.
It could be used when trying to express a sense of motivation or positivity regarding a specific topic or situation. Example: "I hope you can be encouraged about the progress we are making in the project."

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

From the looks of things, James Spader, Andy Samberg and the non-superhero agents of the Marvel universe all have something to be encouraged about. .

Los Angeles Times

For the Colts, there are some things to be encouraged about.

The New York Times

There were some aspects for the Mets to be encouraged about.

The New York Times - Sports

If nothing else, the Giants should be encouraged about their chances to improve their percentage Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

Prosecutors did have many reasons to be encouraged about the strength of their case.

The New York Times

There is plenty of reason for Democrats to be encouraged about their party's ability to defend the seat next year.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

What we are encouraged about, what we keep working on, is the person who is in a dire situation, who heavily relies on Tor to make their life and the life of their countrymen better.

BBC

"I'm encouraged about what we can be," D'Antoni said.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, many players were encouraged about their chances.

The New York Times - Sports

I am encouraged about the women at all levels who want this to work.

The Guardian

But I found many more people who worry about the future in Japan than are encouraged about it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be encouraged about", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the feeling of encouragement. Being specific avoids vagueness and strengthens your message.

Common error

While "be encouraged about" is already passive, avoid stacking it with other passive constructions. Instead, try to rephrase to highlight the active element causing the encouragement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be encouraged about" functions as a predicative adjective expressing a state of optimism or hopefulness towards a particular subject. Ludwig AI points out that the phrase may sound awkward in certain contexts and that more natural sounding alternatives may be available.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Academia

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be encouraged about" expresses a sense of optimism or hope regarding something. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI suggests it can sound somewhat awkward, with more natural alternatives often available. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. When using the phrase, ensure clarity about what's causing the encouragement and avoid stacking it with other passive constructions. Consider alternatives such as "feel optimistic about" or "see promise in" for a more natural flow.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feel positive about

A direct and simple way to express a positive outlook.

feel optimistic about

Replaces "encouraged" with "optimistic" for a more direct expression of hopefulness.

be hopeful regarding

Uses "hopeful" instead of "encouraged" and "regarding" instead of "about", offering a slightly more formal tone.

have reason for optimism about

This phrase shifts the focus to having a reason to be optimistic, emphasizing the justification for positive feelings.

see promise in

Highlights the potential or positive future aspects of something.

find reassurance in

This implies finding comfort or confidence in something, which is a slightly different nuance than simple encouragement.

gain confidence from

Focuses on the increase in confidence as a result of something, rather than the feeling of encouragement itself.

be heartened by

Offers a more emotional and heartfelt expression of encouragement.

draw inspiration from

Implies that something is inspiring or motivating, going beyond simple encouragement.

anticipate favorable outcomes from

This phrase expresses anticipation of positive results, focusing on future expectations.

FAQs

What does "be encouraged about" mean?

To "be encouraged about" something means to feel optimistic or hopeful about it. It suggests finding positive aspects or reasons for optimism in a particular situation or development.

How can I use "be encouraged about" in a sentence?

You can use "be encouraged about" when you want to express optimism or a positive outlook regarding something. For instance, "We can "feel positive about" the progress being made on the project."

Are there alternatives to "be encouraged about" that sound more natural?

Yes, alternatives such as "feel optimistic about", "be hopeful regarding", or "see promise in" might sound more natural depending on the context.

Is "be encouraged about" formal or informal?

The phrase "be encouraged about" leans towards a neutral to slightly formal register. Simpler alternatives like "feel good about" may be more appropriate in informal contexts.