encourage us to consider

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encourage us to consider" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when prompting someone to think about a particular idea, perspective, or option. Example: "The author encourages us to consider the implications of climate change on future generations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

The Pew findings encourage us to consider how positive attitudes may contribute to socioeconomic success.

The New York Times

Recently, we've added a new requirement to our purchasing policy to encourage us to consider environmental factors when choosing suppliers.

The Guardian

In the book, Ms. Frankel and Dr. DePace encourage us to consider all of the examples they offer, even if they illustrate something distant from our own work.

The New York Times - Science

Rather, they "encourage us to consider the dreams that are not laid bare, to insert our own suggestions into the often enigmatic scenarios".

The New Yorker

It's still theoretically possible to enjoy them without spending a fortune on equipment, ingredients, packaging and extras, but the 21st century's agencies of persuasion encourage us to consider it weird to do so.

Independent

Conservatives encourage us to consider also the loss that is in liberation.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

These results are encouraging us to consider that nanosilver doped hydroxyapatite could be used for different biomedical applications, such as the treatment of wounds and burns infections, the wound dressings and coating of bone prostheses.

BioMed Research International

Part of the fun of playing with a new thing is learning the ways we can use (and artfully misuse) it, but an installation also encourages us to consider other, less immediate possibilities.

Vice

That encourages us to consider relationships that are not "official".

The Guardian

Centuries of patriarchy have encouraged us to consider domestic and sexual violence as terrible but unconnected, unexplained private oddities which happen within individual families.

Independent

Books like Michael Pollan's "The Omnivore's Dilemma_"_ had opened the public's eyes to the corporate food industry's more unpalatable practices, while a swelling roster of shows on the Food Network and elsewhere — including Bourdain's own "No Reservations" — encouraged us to consider food as a viable spectator sport.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encourage us to consider" when you want to gently prompt your audience to think about something from a new or different perspective. It's particularly effective in persuasive writing.

Common error

While "encourage us to consider" is generally acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "prompt us to reflect on" or "urge us to think about".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "encourage us to consider" functions as a directive, prompting the audience to engage in a specific thought process or evaluation. As Ludwig indicates, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "encourage us to consider" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to prompt reflection and evaluation. As Ludwig confirms, it’s a usable phrase in written English. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, including news media, science, and professional communications. While not exceptionally frequent, it effectively serves its purpose of subtly directing the audience's thought process. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "urge us to think about" or "prompt us to reflect on" to avoid repetition. While effective, be mindful of overuse, especially in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

urge us to think about

Replaces "encourage" with "urge" and "consider" with "think about", emphasizing a stronger prompting.

prompt us to reflect on

Uses "prompt" instead of "encourage" and "reflect on" instead of "consider", suggesting a more contemplative approach.

motivate us to contemplate

Substitutes "encourage" with "motivate" and "consider" with "contemplate", implying a deeper level of thought.

inspire us to deliberate on

Replaces "encourage" with "inspire" and "consider" with "deliberate on", suggesting a more thoughtful and careful consideration.

invite us to examine

Uses "invite" instead of "encourage" and "examine" instead of "consider", suggesting a more formal and investigative approach.

lead us to believe

Changes the focus to belief rather than consideration, implying a potential outcome of the encouragement.

persuade us to assess

Substitutes "encourage" with "persuade" and "consider" with "assess", suggesting an effort to convince someone to evaluate something.

stimulate our thinking about

Replaces "encourage" with "stimulate" and reframes "consider" as "thinking about", emphasizing mental activity.

foster our awareness of

Shifts the focus to creating awareness rather than direct consideration, implying a broader understanding.

draw our attention to

Changes the focus to attracting attention to a specific point, rather than encouraging consideration of it.

FAQs

How can I use "encourage us to consider" in a sentence?

You can use "encourage us to consider" when you want to suggest a particular viewpoint or course of action. For instance, "The findings "encourage us to consider" the long-term effects of our decisions".

What are some alternatives to "encourage us to consider"?

Alternatives include "urge us to think about", "prompt us to reflect on", or "invite us to examine", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "encourage us to consider" and "force us to consider"?

Yes, "encourage us to consider" suggests a gentle prompting, while "force us to consider" implies a lack of choice and a potentially unwelcome imposition.

When is it appropriate to use "encourage us to consider" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "encourage us to consider" in contexts where you want to subtly influence your audience's thinking without being overly assertive. It works well in persuasive essays, reports, and presentations.