encouraged about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "encouraged about" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used incorrectly; the correct preposition would be "encouraged by" or "encouraged for." Example: "I feel encouraged by the positive feedback I received on my project."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

From the looks of things, James Spader, Andy Samberg and the non-superhero agents of the Marvel universe all have something to be encouraged about. .

Los Angeles Times

"I'm encouraged about what we can be," D'Antoni said.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, many players were encouraged about their chances.

The New York Times - Sports

If nothing else, the Giants should be encouraged about their chances to improve their percentage Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

For the Colts, there are some things to be encouraged about.

The New York Times

There were some aspects for the Mets to be encouraged about.

The New York Times - Sports

It will give the GB team further reason to fly home suitably encouraged about the future.

The Guardian - Sport

Prosecutors did have many reasons to be encouraged about the strength of their case.

The New York Times

I am encouraged about the women at all levels who want this to work.

The Guardian

But I found many more people who worry about the future in Japan than are encouraged about it.

The New Yorker

He said he was encouraged about what the final two weeks of the season, and the playoffs, could bring.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "encouraged about" is frequently used, consider using "encouraged by" for better grammatical correctness. For example, instead of "I am encouraged about the progress", write "I am encouraged by the progress".

Common error

The preposition "about" often implies a topic or subject, while "by" indicates a cause or source. Using "encouraged about" might suggest the encouragement is the topic rather than caused by something. Use "encouraged by" to clearly show what's inspiring the encouragement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase “encouraged about” functions as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, followed by a preposition. It describes a feeling of optimism or reassurance regarding a particular situation or topic. While commonly used, Ludwig AI points out that “encouraged by” is grammatically preferable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase “encouraged about” is frequently used to express a positive outlook. However, according to Ludwig AI, “encouraged by” is grammatically more standard. While “encouraged about” appears often in News & Media, it's advisable to use "encouraged by" in formal contexts. Alternatives such as “optimistic regarding” or “hopeful about” can also enhance clarity and grammatical correctness. Pay attention to preposition choices to convey your intended meaning precisely.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hopeful about

Similar to "encouraged", but emphasizes a sense of anticipation for a positive outcome.

optimistic regarding

Replaces "encouraged" with a direct synonym, focusing on a positive outlook.

confident regarding

Highlights a strong belief in a positive outcome, emphasizing certainty.

heartened by

Indicates an increase in courage or hope, often due to external factors.

feeling upbeat about

Conveys a cheerful and optimistic attitude towards a situation.

reassured about

Indicates a reduction of doubt or fear, providing a sense of confidence.

buoyed by

Suggests being uplifted or supported, leading to increased optimism.

positive about

A more general expression of a favorable sentiment or outlook.

taking heart from

Emphasizes drawing strength or encouragement from something specific.

elated by

Highlights a state of great happiness and joy, triggered by a specific event.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "encouraged about" to sound more grammatically correct?

You can use "encouraged by", "optimistic about", or "hopeful about" as alternatives. The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "encouraged about" considered grammatically correct in formal writing?

While common, "encouraged about" is often considered less formal. "Encouraged by" is generally preferred in formal writing.

What's the difference between saying "encouraged about" and "encouraged by"?

Although they are used similarly, "encouraged by" is grammatically more standard and indicates the source of the encouragement, while "encouraged about" is often perceived as less precise and could imply the encouragement is the topic.

When is it appropriate to use "encouraged about"?

While common in everyday speech and certain publications, it's generally better to use "encouraged by" in formal or academic writing to maintain grammatical correctness.