be encouraged to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be encouraged to" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when suggesting that someone should feel motivated or supported to take a certain action or pursue a goal. Example: "Students should be encouraged to ask questions and seek help when they do not understand the material."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Everybody ought to be encouraged to give".

The New York Times

They must be encouraged to read.

The New York Times

But be encouraged to order anything else).

The New York Times - Magazine

"No one will be encouraged to come".

The New York Times

The groups will be encouraged to interact.

The New York Times - Science

Audience members will be encouraged to moonwalk.

The New York Times

Students will be encouraged to set personal goals for themselves.

The Guardian

But how can governments be encouraged to follow suit?

The Guardian

Other firms should be encouraged to do the same.

The Economist

Should older people be encouraged to keep working?

The New York Times

Relief pitchers will be encouraged to warm up at home.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be encouraged to", ensure that the context clearly identifies who is doing the encouraging. This helps maintain clarity and avoids ambiguity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be encouraged to" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. Overusing the passive voice can make your writing sound weak or unclear. For instance, instead of saying "Mistakes should be encouraged to be admitted", a better phrasing is "People should be encouraged to admit their mistakes".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be encouraged to" functions as a passive construction, typically used to convey that someone or something should receive support or motivation to perform a specific action. Ludwig examples show diverse usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be encouraged to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction, indicating that someone should receive motivation and support to perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across diverse contexts, including news, science, and business. While the phrase is generally appropriate, writers should be mindful of potential overuse of the passive voice. By following best practices and avoiding common errors, writers can effectively use "be encouraged to" to convey recommendations and promote positive action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be motivated to

Emphasizes internal drive rather than external prompting.

be inspired to

Suggests a stronger, more emotional impetus for action.

be urged to

Implies a degree of insistence or pressure.

be advised to

Conveys a sense of recommendation based on knowledge or expertise.

be prompted to

Highlights the cause or reason behind the encouragement.

be supported in

Focuses on providing assistance and resources.

be stimulated to

Highlights the action of a stimulant that activates someone.

be incentivized to

Highlights a tangible reward or benefit acting as motivation.

be persuaded to

Indicates a process of convincing someone.

be influenced to

Highlights the impact someone or something has on a subject's decision.

FAQs

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

Use "be encouraged to" to suggest that someone should feel motivated or supported to take a certain action. For example, "Students should "be encouraged to ask questions" and seek help when they do not understand the material".

What are some alternatives to "be encouraged to"?

You can use alternatives like "be motivated to", "be inspired to", or "be urged to" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "be encouraged to"?

While "be encouraged to" is a passive construction, ensure it aligns with the intended emphasis. If the actor is important, consider an active construction. For example, instead of "People should "be encouraged to recycle"", you might say "We should encourage people to recycle".

What is the difference between "be encouraged to" and "be allowed to"?

"Be encouraged to" implies motivation and support, suggesting a positive endorsement of an action. "Be allowed to", on the other hand, simply indicates permission without necessarily implying support or motivation.