encouragement

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "encouragement" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to refer to the act of giving someone confidence and hope, and inspiring them to do something. Example sentence: His parents provided him with a lot of encouragement to help him succeed.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If those responses are a concern for Preston fans they can take encouragement from the warm words Beckford had for Grayson, whom he first worked under at Leeds and clearly holds in high regard.

The Guardian - Sport

A report by British Educational Research Association (Bera) and Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce shows that countries with the best performing and fastest improving education systems are putting a strong emphasis on university training for teachers.

The Guardian

"Yet, in contrast to the tacit official encouragement of more liberal voices after 9/11, any debate within Saudi Arabia over the role of its official creed in fostering the group's extremism has been timid and largely confined to social media... "The Saudi authorities have been quick to condemn Isis.

The Guardian - Opinion

Villas-Boas's representative, Carlos Goncalves, listened over the weekend to the proposals of PSG, who are bankrolled by Qatar Sports Investments, but Villas-Boas did not give them the encouragement that they wanted.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet their presence at press conferences, positive media comments about the general sporting situation, and encouragement around the team and the training ground cannot be a bad thing.

The Guardian - Sport

Stephen Shaw-Wright, who will serve as deputy mayor under Harding, said: "Gavin is a shining example of what can be achieved with the right support and encouragement.

The Guardian

Wenger's formation could be described as 4-5-1 but OxladidChambreakin did break out to provide encouragement from his central role.

The Guardian - Sport

"Many thanks to all who sent messages of support and encouragement in the last week.

The Guardian

His wise counsel and gentle encouragement is something I especially valued.

The Guardian

"This is encouragement for me to go forward".

The Guardian

Journalists, never shy of overstatement, are complicit, and politicians need no encouragement.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When offering "encouragement", be specific and genuine in your praise. Highlight particular strengths or progress to make your support more meaningful.

Common error

Generic phrases like "keep up the good work" can sound insincere. Tailor your "encouragement" to the individual and the situation to show you truly care.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "encouragement" is that of a noun, referring to the act of encouraging or something that provides incentive. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is correct and can be used in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "encouragement" functions as a noun, broadly utilized across numerous contexts to evoke inspiration, motivation, and support. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically sound and widely appropriate for use in written English. Predominantly, its presence is strong in news and media, business, and scientific domains. While it maintains an overall neutral tone, the specifics of its usage can vary significantly depending on the setting. Remember to be genuine and direct to offer the most effective "encouragement".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

providing motivation

Directly addresses the act of giving someone a reason to act.

inspiring action

Emphasizes the act of motivating others to take action.

moral support

Focuses specifically on providing emotional and psychological support.

showing support

Focuses on demonstrating care and backing for someone's endeavors.

fostering confidence

Suggests cultivating a sense of self-belief over time.

giving confidence

Emphasizes the act of instilling self-assurance in someone.

promoting enthusiasm

Focuses on generating excitement and passion for something.

boost morale

Aims to improve the overall spirit and enthusiasm of a group.

uplifting spirit

Aims to elevate someone's mood and emotional state.

incentivizing action

Highlights the use of incentives to motivate specific behaviors.

FAQs

How to use "encouragement" in a sentence?

"Encouragement" is used to express the act of inspiring someone, or something that provides incentive or support. For instance, "His words provided much-needed encouragement".

What can I say instead of "encouragement"?

You can use alternatives like "moral support", "motivation", or "inspiration", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "words of encouragement" or "encouraging words"?

Both "words of encouragement" and "encouraging words" are correct, but they have slightly different emphasis. "Words of encouragement" focuses on the act of encouraging, while "encouraging words" describes the nature of the words themselves.

What's the difference between "encouragement" and "inducement"?

"Encouragement" generally implies positive support and motivation, while "inducement" often suggests the use of incentives, sometimes material, to persuade someone. Therefore, "inducement" may have a connotation of manipulation that "encouragement" lacks.