discouraged by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "discouraged by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that someone feels disheartened or demotivated due to a particular situation or influence. Example: "She felt discouraged by the lack of support from her peers during the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Being discouraged by a movie.

The New York Times - Magazine

She was promptly discouraged by another guard.

The New Yorker

Even optimists were discouraged by Friday's report.

The New York Times

Collins was not discouraged by his performance.

The New York Times - Sports

Is he ever discouraged by such abuse?

The New York Times

I do think they will be discouraged — by its ugliness.

The New Yorker

The theoretical physicists aren't discouraged by these critiques.

The New York Times - Magazine

Writer is discouraged by the Democrats' new tack.

The New Yorker

He is not discouraged by today's freshman class.

The New Yorker

Not every tourist may be discouraged by that prospect.

The New York Times

Discouraged by his Parisian failure, Sargent moved permanently to London.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "discouraged by", ensure that the cause of discouragement is clearly stated to provide context for the reader. For example: "The team was discouraged by the constant setbacks."

Common error

Avoid overusing "discouraged by" for situations involving mild disappointment. Reserve it for instances where the feeling is significant enough to impact motivation or outlook. Use words like "disappointed" instead of "discouraged by" for situations that do not severely impact motivation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "discouraged by" functions as a passive adjectival phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of being disheartened or demotivated due to an external factor. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

23%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "discouraged by" is a common and grammatically correct way to express feeling disheartened or demotivated due to something, as validated by Ludwig. It is frequently found in news articles and general writing. When using it, clearly state the cause of discouragement. Ludwig’s analysis of numerous examples shows that the phrase is most often used in neutral contexts. Alternatives like "daunted by", "disheartened by", and "put off by" offer nuanced ways to convey similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demotivated by

Directly indicates a reduction in motivation to act or pursue something.

disheartened by

Emphasizes the emotional impact, highlighting a loss of spirit or hope.

dissuaded by

Suggests active discouragement, often implying external influence leading to a change in decision or action.

deterred by

Implies being prevented or restrained from proceeding due to something negative.

daunted by

Focuses on the intimidating aspect of the cause of discouragement, suggesting a feeling of being overwhelmed.

put off by

Highlights a sense of aversion or being turned away from something.

intimidated by

Highlights a feeling of fear or unease caused by the person or situation doing the discouraging.

lost enthusiasm because of

Explains that enthusiasm has been lost and includes the causation.

felt less inspired due to

Focuses on the inspiration that has been diminished because of something.

uninspired by

Implies a lack of stimulation or motivation derived from something.

FAQs

How can I use "discouraged by" in a sentence?

You can use "discouraged by" to express that someone feels disheartened or demotivated due to a particular situation. For example: "She felt discouraged by the lack of support."

What are some alternatives to "discouraged by"?

Alternatives include "daunted by", "disheartened by", or "put off by" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "discouraged by" and "disappointed by"?

"Discouraged by" implies a decrease in motivation or confidence, while "disappointed by" suggests a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction that something didn't meet expectations. "Discouraged" has a stronger effect on drive.

Is it better to say "discouraged by" or "discouraged with"?

"Discouraged by" is the correct and more commonly used preposition. "Discouraged with" is not standard English.