encouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing support or motivation for someone to do something or to feel positive about a situation. Example: "She felt encouraged by her friends' support during the difficult times."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The leadership of a university has encouraged an endeavor in which students drop out in order to do something that will enrich the faculty".

The Economist

The thought of having to network for another month, to meet just another 20 people felt time intensive so I developed a referral system which encouraged people I knew, and trusted, to refer their single friends to me.

The Guardian

Osborne is still an Athena member, and has encouraged a new member of staff to join.

The Guardian

By framing TB and HIV screening within a battery of other healthy living tests, including pregnancy, diabetes and hypertension, people are encouraged to get tested for the diseases.

The Guardian

Muslim dismay at Tony Blair's co-invasion of Iraq in 2003 did not sway that decision, though it could be argued that anti-war sentiment inhibited proper post-invasion occupation planning and encouraged the Sunni insurrection against both invaders and Shia Muslims.

The Guardian

However, he was more fervently in favour of Vatican reforms than his superiors, and was encouraged to find another calling.

The Guardian

He wrote: One of the major criticisms we faced was that in our effort to provide more proactive policing, we had encouraged more aggressive police behavior, particularly in minority communities.

The Guardian

The fact that it all went so horribly wrong, a rare victory for the anti-realpolitik school, and amid so much suffering, has encouraged them to preach the non-interventionist gospel (western intervention, that is), with unhappy results for a lot of Syrians.

The Guardian

Pope Francis has decried the "inhuman" conditions facing migrants crossing the US-Mexico border and has encouraged communities there not to judge people by stereotypes but welcome migrants and work to end discrimination.

The Guardian

"Those people who are driven to do it and have the gifts to be able to should be encouraged.

The Guardian

So, in recent years, we've endured 60s, 70s and 80s revivals, punters encouraged to wear silly clothes, like silly music, and generally pretend that crap things were great, a dispiriting travesty of irony, meta-irony, disingenuousness and disingenuity.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "encouraged" to express support or motivation for a specific action or feeling. For instance, "The coach encouraged the team to persevere."

Common error

Avoid using "encouraged" with unclear or overly broad subjects. Be specific about who or what is providing the encouragement. Instead of "The situation encouraged success", specify: "The supportive environment encouraged the team's success."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "encouraged" is as the past participle or past tense of the verb "encourage". It functions as an adjective when describing something or someone that has been given support or motivation. Ludwig's examples demonstrate this in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "encouraged" is a versatile term frequently used in various contexts, primarily within news and media. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and high usability. It functions as the past tense or past participle of "encourage", indicating support or motivation provided to someone or something. While it's suitable for both formal and informal settings, avoiding vague subjects will ensure clarity. Alternatives like "motivated" or "inspired" can be used depending on the nuance you aim to convey. Overall, "encouraged" remains a reliable and effective choice in expressing backing or promoting certain actions or feelings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

motivated

Implies inspiring someone to take action or achieve a goal.

inspired

Suggests a more profound and creative influence.

supported

Focuses on providing assistance and backing.

urged

Conveys a strong and persuasive prompting.

promoted

Highlights the act of advancing or furthering something.

fostered

Implies nurturing and developing something over time.

stimulated

Suggests exciting or arousing interest in something.

persuaded

Focuses on convincing someone to do something.

advised

Implies giving guidance or recommendations.

incited

Suggests provoking or stirring up action, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How to use "encouraged" in a sentence?

You can use "encouraged" to describe someone or something that provides support or motivation. For example, "The teacher "encouraged" students to ask questions" or "The positive feedback "encouraged" her to continue writing".

What can I say instead of "encouraged"?

You can use alternatives like "motivated", "inspired", or "supported" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "encouraged to do" or "encouraged in doing"?

"Encouraged to do" is generally the more common and natural construction. For example, "They were "encouraged to apply"". "Encouraged in doing" can be used, but it is less frequent and might sound slightly formal.

What's the difference between "encouraged" and "urged"?

"Encouraged" implies providing support and motivation, while "urged" suggests a stronger, more insistent prompting. "Encouraged" is generally more gentle and positive than "urged".