Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
encourages that
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "encourages that" is not correct in standard written English.
It is typically used in contexts where one is suggesting or promoting a particular action or behavior, but it should be followed by a clause that begins with "to" or a noun phrase instead. Example: "The organization encourages that students participate in community service."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
News & Media
Science
Alternative expressions(7)
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
38 human-written examples
Education encourages that divide.
News & Media
Electronics both aids and encourages that approach.
News & Media
Displaying the new Kindles encourages that behavior, analysts said.
News & Media
PR encourages that culture to emerge; AV doesn't.
News & Media
Mr. Helmken, like other bankers here, encourages that hesitation.
News & Media
"A metronome-like gesture actually encourages that thought, even if she is saying something different".
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
19 human-written examples
"We don't encourage that".
News & Media
Computers seem to encourage that mindset.
News & Media
His chatty stump speeches encourage that belief.
News & Media
"We're not afraid to encourage that".
News & Media
We don't encourage that, of course.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Avoid using "encourages that" directly. Instead, rephrase to include a verb or noun that correctly connects the encouragement to a specific action or belief, for instance use "encourages the belief that" or "encourages someone to do something."
Common error
A frequent mistake is using "encourages that" to directly introduce a clause without proper grammatical structure. To correct this, ensure that "encourages" is followed by a noun phrase or an infinitive phrase, providing a clear and grammatically sound connection. For example, replace "It encourages that people participate" with "It "encourages people to participate"".
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "encourages that" functions as a verb phrase that aims to express support or promotion of an idea. However, it is often misused as it requires a different grammatical structure to be correct. It needs an object (a person) before the "to" (He encourages me to try). Ludwig AI indicates it's not correct in standard written English.
Frequent in
News & Media
67%
Science
23%
Wiki
3%
Less common in
Formal & Business
3%
Encyclopedias
0%
Academic
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, the phrase "encourages that" is often used to express support or promotion; however, Ludwig AI indicates it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English. Grammatically, it is better to use alternative phrases such as "promotes the idea that" or to rephrase the sentence to include a noun or infinitive phrase, such as ""encourages participation"". While commonly found in news and media sources, it's important to ensure grammatically correct usage for clarity and credibility.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
encourages the belief that
Specifies that the encouragement leads to a belief, adding clarity.
fosters the idea that
Replaces "encourages" with "fosters" to suggest nurturing an idea, more formal.
promotes the notion that
Substitutes "encourages" with "promotes" and "that" with "notion" for emphasis.
supports the view that
Indicates backing a particular perspective rather than general encouragement, altering the focus slightly.
facilitates the understanding that
Highlights the role of encouragement in leading to comprehension, a more specific nuance.
inspires the thought that
Suggests the encouragement evokes a thought or idea, a shift in emphasis.
creates an environment that encourages
Focuses on the creation of a supportive environment, changing the sentence structure.
cultivates a sense that
Implies a gradual development of a feeling or idea, less direct than encouragement.
gives rise to the idea that
Indicates that the encouragement causes an idea to emerge, causal relationship.
is conducive to the idea that
Suggests that something is favorable to the idea, a more indirect relationship.
FAQs
How can I correctly use "encourages" in a sentence?
To use "encourages" correctly, follow it with a noun phrase or an infinitive phrase. For example, "The program "encourages participation"" or "The teacher "encourages students to ask questions"" are grammatically sound.
What are some alternatives to "encourages that"?
Instead of "encourages that", consider using phrases like "promotes the idea that", "fosters the belief that", or "supports the notion that" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.
Is it ever correct to use "encourages that"?
While "encourages that" may occasionally appear in writing, it generally does not conform to standard English grammar. It's better to rephrase the sentence to use a grammatically correct structure such as "encourages the idea of" or "encourages someone to do something".
What's the difference between "encourages that" and "encourages to"?
"Encourages that" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. The correct form is to use "encourages to" only if an object (person or thing) is placed before "to". The verb "encourages" needs an object, followed by a verb. Example: "He "encourages me to try"".
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
88%
Authority and reliability
2.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested