encourage student

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encourage student" is not correct in written English as it is missing an article or pluralization.
You can use it in contexts where you want to refer to the act of motivating a student, but it should be modified for grammatical accuracy. Example: "Teachers should always encourage students to pursue their interests and passions."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr. Addis also wants to encourage student journalists.

The New York Times

Grafflin's isn't the only approach to encourage student writing.

The New York Times

So what's being done to encourage student teams to develop energy-efficient race cars?

Independent

A project manager and 12 students, known as activators, were appointed to organise the activities and encourage student participation.

The Guardian

A portion of proceeds from the show will go toward scholarships to encourage student writers to pursue family-oriented themes.

The New York Times

The first win-a-trip was in 2006, and my aim is to use these trips to encourage student interest in issues related to global poverty.

The New York Times

The study also pointed to the fact that Australia, Canada and New Zealand, three countries that have been increasingly successful in attracting foreign students, have recently "eased their immigration policies" to encourage student applicants.

The New York Times

Before setting up his current business, he worked at the University of Manchester's careers service, developing websites and IT systems to nurture and encourage student employability, winning a Times Higher Award for Outstanding Support for Students with Disabilities in 2006.

The Guardian

Teachers tell us they use these questions to help students practice writing persuasively; as inspiration for lessons; as jumping-off points for class discussions and debates; or just to encourage student engagement with current events and with young people from around the world.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Recommendations: Rights-based and proactively inclusive  Further encourage student-teacher relationship building.

Unicef

McCarthy (2013) further indicates that instructors need to "encourage student[s] to take ownership of their own learning and to use each assignment to develop and grow" (p. 82).

International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Opt for synonyms like "motivate", "support", or "inspire" to enhance clarity and precision in your writing, especially in formal contexts.

Common error

A frequent mistake is omitting the article ('a' or 'the') or failing to pluralize the word student. Avoid saying "encourage student"; instead, use "encourage a student", "encourage the student", or "encourage students".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encourage student" functions as a verb followed by a noun, but it's grammatically incomplete. It aims to express the act of motivating or supporting a student. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase requires an article or pluralization to be grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

34%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "encourage student" is commonly used, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. To correct this, it should be modified to "encourage a student", "encourage the student", or "encourage students".

Based on the provided examples, this phrase appears frequently in both scientific and news contexts. For more formal or grammatically precise writing, consider using alternatives such as "motivate students", "support students", or "foster student engagement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivate students

Replaces "encourage" with a more direct synonym, focusing on driving students towards a goal. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

support students

Shifts the focus to providing assistance and resources, suggesting a more holistic approach. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

foster student engagement

Emphasizes the cultivation of active participation and interest from students. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

promote student development

Highlights the advancement of a student's skills and knowledge. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

inspire students

Focuses on igniting enthusiasm and creativity in students. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

cultivate student interest

Highlights the nurturing of a student's curiosity and passion for a subject. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

stimulate student learning

Focuses on enhancing and invigorating the learning process for students. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

facilitate student success

Emphasizes creating conditions that enable students to achieve their goals. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

guide student progress

Highlights directing and overseeing a student's educational journey. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

nurture student growth

Emphasizes fostering a student's personal and academic development. Making the noun plural makes the sentence grammatically correct.

FAQs

How can I correctly use "encourage student" in a sentence?

The phrase "encourage student" is grammatically incorrect. You should use "encourage a student", "encourage the student", or "encourage students" depending on whether you are referring to a specific student or students in general. Alternatives include using verbs like "motivate students" or "support students".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "encourage student"?

Instead of "encourage student", you can use phrases such as "motivate students", "support students", "foster student engagement", or "promote student development". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired nuance.

Which is the correct form: "encourage student" or "encourage students"?

"Encourage students" is the correct form. "Encourage student" is grammatically incorrect because it requires an article or pluralization to be correct, as highlighted by Ludwig.

Is "encourage student" considered formal or informal language?

While frequently used, "encourage student" is grammatically incorrect. In formal writing, it is better to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "encourage a student" or "motivate students".