is discouraged

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is discouraged" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a certain action or behavior is not recommended or advised against. Example: "In this organization, using personal devices for work-related tasks is discouraged to maintain security."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

This is discouraged.

The New York Times

Courage is discouraged.

The New Yorker

Asking questions is discouraged.

The Economist

Individual affirmation is discouraged.

The New York Times - Arts

Physical movement is discouraged.

The New York Times - Magazine

Critical thinking is discouraged.

The New York Times - Magazine

Retesting (called replication) is discouraged.

The Guardian - Opinion

The average shopper is discouraged.

The New York Times

Discussion on this subject is discouraged.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Not that Mr. Rice is discouraged.

The New York Times

Because of this, internecine squabbling is discouraged in public.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is discouraged" to politely but firmly advise against a particular action or behavior, especially when there are potential negative consequences or better alternatives. Be clear about why the action is discouraged to provide context and encourage compliance.

Common error

Avoid using "is discouraged" in situations requiring strong prohibition or direct commands. Instead of saying "Littering is discouraged", opt for "Do not litter" for greater clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is discouraged" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a particular action or behavior is not recommended or approved. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

43%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is discouraged" functions as a passive verb phrase used to politely advise against a particular action or behavior. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It's commonly found in news, scientific, and formal contexts, with a neutral register suitable for various professional and informational settings. While numerous alternatives exist, such as "is not recommended" or "should be avoided", "is discouraged" offers a balanced tone for conveying recommendations without being overly directive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not recommended

Directly states a lack of recommendation, similar in strength.

is advised against

Suggests a cautionary approach, implying potential negative consequences.

is not encouraged

A direct antonym to "is encouraged", indicating a lack of support.

should be avoided

Highlights the need to actively steer clear of something.

is not favored

Indicates a preference against something, less forceful than "discouraged".

is disrecommended

A more formal way of saying something is not recommended.

is frowned upon

Implies social disapproval or mild censure.

is dissuaded

Focuses on actively persuading someone not to do something.

is deprecated

Indicates that something is being phased out or should no longer be used.

is unwanted

States that something is not desired or welcomed.

FAQs

How can I use "is discouraged" in a sentence?

The phrase "is discouraged" is used to indicate that a particular action or behavior is not recommended. For example, "The use of personal devices for work purposes "is discouraged"."

What's the difference between "is discouraged" and "is not recommended"?

While both phrases suggest avoiding something, "is discouraged" carries a slightly stronger connotation of disapproval or potential negative consequences compared to "is not recommended", which is a more neutral suggestion.

What are some alternatives to saying "is discouraged"?

You can use phrases such as "is advised against", "is not recommended", or "should be avoided" depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to use "is discouraged"?

"Is discouraged" is appropriate in situations where you want to politely but firmly advise against a certain action, such as in company policies, guidelines, or recommendations. It is suitable when a stronger prohibition isn't necessary but a clear indication of preference is warranted.