discourage them from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'discourage them from' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to a person or group of people in order to ask them not to do something. For example, "We should discourage them from participating in dangerous activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This should discourage them from even trying.

The New York Times

We must discourage them from doing so.

The Guardian

How can I discourage them from visiting?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I discourage them from gifting me (or each other).

The New York Times

That thought is likely to discourage them from buying even more dollars.

The Economist

Regulators must remove all obstacles that discourage them from doing so.

The Economist

That, in turn, is likely to discourage them from making it less so.

The Economist

They do not welcome a device that would discourage them from panhandling, or "spare changing".

The Economist

It also helps discourage them from pursuing criminal charges against their traffickers.

The New Yorker

A habit of pilfering foreigners' ideas can discourage them from developing distinctive products and brand identities.

The Economist

They may keep offenders off the streets, but they fail to discourage them from offending.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "discourage them from", ensure that the context clearly identifies who "them" refers to. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "discourage them from" interchangeably with phrases like "prevent them from" in all contexts. "Discourage" suggests influencing someone's motivation, while "prevent" implies stopping them physically or legally. Choose the verb that accurately reflects the method of influencing behavior.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discourage them from" functions as a verb phrase used to express the act of advising or persuading individuals not to pursue a particular action or course. It is typically followed by a gerund (verb + -ing) indicating the activity being discouraged. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

15%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discourage them from" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate the act of advising or persuading someone not to take a particular action. Grammatically sound, as confirmed by Ludwig, it functions as a verb phrase influencing behavior by suggesting alternative courses. The phrase is primarily used in News & Media, but is also common in Science and Wiki contexts. While alternatives like "dissuade", "deter", and "prevent" exist, the best choice hinges on the specific nuance desired. It's important to use the phrase to clearly specify the target audience and action you're referencing. As Ludwig AI confirms, "discourage them from" serves as a valuable tool for expressing your intentions effectively in different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

dissuade them from

Emphasizes convincing someone not to do something through reasoning or persuasion.

prevent them from

A general term for stopping someone from doing something, without specifying the method.

thwart them from

Focuses on actively preventing someone from achieving a goal, often implying a direct intervention.

deterring them from

Implies using fear or negative consequences to discourage an action.

restrain them from

Implies holding someone back, either physically or metaphorically, from doing something.

obstruct them from

Indicates creating obstacles or barriers to hinder someone's progress.

impede them from

Similar to 'obstruct', but can also imply slowing down progress rather than completely stopping it.

avoid them from

Suggests sidestepping or steering clear of a situation to prevent someone's involvement.

curb them from

Suggests limiting or restraining someone's actions or impulses.

avoiding them from

This emphasizes the action of actively staying away or evading a particular situation, influencing someone else's behavior by creating distance.

FAQs

How can I use "discourage them from" in a sentence?

You can use "discourage them from" to suggest advising or persuading someone not to do something. For example, "We should "discourage them from" making hasty decisions".

What are some alternatives to "discourage them from"?

Alternatives include "dissuade them from", "deter them from", or "prevent them from", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "discourage them from" or "prevent them from"?

"Discourage them from" implies influencing someone's motivation, while "prevent them from" suggests physically or legally stopping them. The better choice depends on the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "discourage them from" and "inhibit them from"?

"Discourage them from" suggests influencing someone's decision, whereas "inhibit them from" implies hindering or restraining their actions. The nuance depends on whether you're affecting their will or their ability.