discourage

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'discourage' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that causes someone to lose enthusiasm or interest in doing something. For example, You should not discourage him from pursuing his dreams.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Tony Bunyan, director of Statewatch, which documents European justice and home affairs policies, added: "The government's justification for not participating in Triton is cynical and an abdication of responsibility by saying that not helping to rescue people fleeing from war, persecution and poverty who are likely to perish is an acceptable way to discourage immigration".

The Guardian

So should we discourage naps in preschool children – even if they really seem to need one?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The first step we need to take is to limit their screen time, and to discourage totally the practice of multi-screening.

The Guardian - Opinion

He did not discourage later western descriptions of him as Khrushchev's adviser or speechwriter, although these exaggerated his role at that time.

The Guardian

Hu said the findings could provide a new way for people to actively discourage their own prejudices.

The Guardian

• Close offshore tax havens to stabilise the financial sector, discourage tax avoidance and help provide funds for sustainable investment.

The Guardian - Opinion

Malik, who is going back to teaching part-time while building her comedy career, said she would not discourage people from participating in future seasons of Big Brother.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"If you called them nicotine sticks instead, it would make them less attractive and would hopefully discourage young people from using them and make them less swayed by all the advertising and marketing".

The Guardian

While Australia has never been tempted to adopt the mooted British proposal of actively talking down the nation in order to discourage immigration from Romania and Bulgaria – Australian rhetoric about being the greatest nation on earth would disallow such posturing – both parties have hardline stances on immigration.

The Guardian - Opinion

Will it discourage people from saving for retirement?

The Guardian - Money

Not all Orthodox sects discourage women from driving.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "discourage" with a specific action or behavior you want to prevent, for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "discourage" when you actually mean "encourage". "Discourage" implies dissuasion, so ensure your sentence reflects this negative connotation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "discourage" is as a transitive verb. It indicates the action of dissuading or deterring someone from doing something. Ludwig provides examples where "discourage" is used to show disapproval.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "discourage" is a grammatically sound and versatile term used to express the action of deterring or dissuading someone from a particular action or feeling. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s appropriate in a wide array of contexts, ranging from formal to informal. It is very common, especially within the News & Media sphere. To enhance your writing, remember that "discourage" is best used when you want to actively advise against or reduce someone's enthusiasm for a specific behavior, and be mindful not to confuse it with "encourage". Consider using synonyms such as "dissuade" or "deter" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissuade

Focuses more on actively persuading someone not to do something.

deter

Emphasizes preventing action through fear or doubt.

dissuade from

Highlights the act of advising or urging against a specific action.

inhibit

Implies restraining or hindering a process or action.

restrain

Suggests holding back or controlling an impulse or action.

hinder

Focuses on creating obstacles or difficulties.

put off

Implies causing someone to lose enthusiasm or interest.

throw a wet blanket on

Idiomatic expression meaning to dampen enthusiasm or enjoyment.

talk out of

Emphasizes persuading someone to change their mind.

dishearten

Focuses on causing someone to lose hope or confidence.

FAQs

How can I use "discourage" in a sentence?

You can use "discourage" to show disapproval of an action or idea. For example, "We should "discourage reckless behavior"."

What's the difference between "discourage" and "prevent"?

"Discourage" aims to reduce enthusiasm or inclination, while "prevent" aims to stop something from happening altogether. For example, measures can "discourage crime", but security systems are installed to prevent it.

What can I say instead of "discourage"?

You can use alternatives like "dissuade", "deter", or "inhibit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "discourage from doing something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase "discourage from doing something" is often used to suggest that someone should avoid a particular action. For example, "They "discourage him from participating"."